Produce Briefs...
Fingerling Russian Banana Potatoes
Although very petit in size, fingerlings are fully mature when harvested, thus they should not to be confused with new potatoes, potatoes that are harvested when immature.
Rainbow Swiss Chard
Rainbow chard, also known a 5-color silverbeet, is a tender chard variety with multi-colored stalks of yellow, white, orange pink and red.
Seasons/Availability
Fresh chestnuts are typically available from October to March.
Description/Taste
The chestnut has a starchy cream to white colored flesh and has a crisp texture. It offers a gentle sweetness that is also very starchy. It comes from a floating annual aquatic plant, which bears ornamental fruit that looks like a bull's head.
Nutritional Value
With only a trace of fat and sodium, one-half cup of chestnuts contains about 35 calories and some vitamin B6. Eat with vitamin C-rich foods like broccoli and peppers to boost iron absorption.
Applications
Usually cooked, fresh chestnuts have the consistency of potatoes when boiled or roasted. Chestnuts can be served as a side dish or added to a stuffing for poultry. Add to salads. Make chestnut flour by drying and grinding chestnuts. This versatile nut makes delicious sweet desserts, adds superb flavor to savory entrees and can be used even in soups. To store, refrigerate.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Trapa natans is the best known in Europe and is often called "caltrop" because of its resemblance to the military device having four protruding metal spikes; Trapa bicornis is the species favored in Japan, China and Korea where it has been an important food since ancient times, while Trapa bispinosa is extensively consumed in Kashmir. In China this nut was used as a grain because of its starchiness and usually consumed in the form of flour. This same chestnut is commonly called "Bengali" and is used in kitchens from Africa to Japan.
Geography/History
Not related to those growing on a chestnut tree, this chestnut is the edible tuber of a sedge that loves to grow in muddy conditions on the banks of lakes, marshes and ponds. One of three water plants of the genus, Trapa, each are rather oddly shaped and have a large white kernel inside that somewhat resembles a chestnut. The fruit is a nut which is covered by four half inch spines covered with spikes. It was first observed in the United State in 1859 by Concord, Massachusetts and is a native freshwater plant growing throughout the country's rivers.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Chestnuts. One
is easiest, three is harder.
Fresh chestnuts are typically available from October to March.
Description/Taste
The chestnut has a starchy cream to white colored flesh and has a crisp texture. It offers a gentle sweetness that is also very starchy. It comes from a floating annual aquatic plant, which bears ornamental fruit that looks like a bull's head.
Nutritional Value
With only a trace of fat and sodium, one-half cup of chestnuts contains about 35 calories and some vitamin B6. Eat with vitamin C-rich foods like broccoli and peppers to boost iron absorption.
Applications
Usually cooked, fresh chestnuts have the consistency of potatoes when boiled or roasted. Chestnuts can be served as a side dish or added to a stuffing for poultry. Add to salads. Make chestnut flour by drying and grinding chestnuts. This versatile nut makes delicious sweet desserts, adds superb flavor to savory entrees and can be used even in soups. To store, refrigerate.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Trapa natans is the best known in Europe and is often called "caltrop" because of its resemblance to the military device having four protruding metal spikes; Trapa bicornis is the species favored in Japan, China and Korea where it has been an important food since ancient times, while Trapa bispinosa is extensively consumed in Kashmir. In China this nut was used as a grain because of its starchiness and usually consumed in the form of flour. This same chestnut is commonly called "Bengali" and is used in kitchens from Africa to Japan.
Geography/History
Not related to those growing on a chestnut tree, this chestnut is the edible tuber of a sedge that loves to grow in muddy conditions on the banks of lakes, marshes and ponds. One of three water plants of the genus, Trapa, each are rather oddly shaped and have a large white kernel inside that somewhat resembles a chestnut. The fruit is a nut which is covered by four half inch spines covered with spikes. It was first observed in the United State in 1859 by Concord, Massachusetts and is a native freshwater plant growing throughout the country's rivers.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Chestnuts. One
is easiest, three is harder.
