Chestnuts are the best nuts

Whenever I see roast chestnuts for sale on the street, I have to stop and indulge in one of my favourite festive treats. Juggling shopping bags as I shell the hot nuts whilst walking down the street, there’s always one at the bottom that is impossible to open. And beware the bad nut!

Nutrition: Poetic license aside, chestnuts are the winter king of nut. There’s a whole genus of chestnut trees, however it is the fruit of the sweet chestnut variety that is most edible and has been an important food stuff throughout history. Whilst they taste completely indulgent, they are the lowest in calories and fats of all nuts [180 calories, 2.74g fat per 100 g]. Chestnuts are high in carbohydrates, balanced in proteins and are an excellent source of trace minerals including potassium, iron, zinc (important for your immune system) and manganese; they compare with brown rice in nutritional value. In other words, they're a wonderfully healthy winter snack.

Cooking method: If you’re buying them to prepare at home, choose shiny, firm and unblemished chestnuts, a sign of freshness. Store in the fridge, and use as soon as possible. Using a very sharp knife, score a cross on the rounded side of each chestnut. Preheat the oven to 200C and place in an oven tray in the middle shelf. Roast for 20 minutes, then remove and place directly into a bowl lined with a clean tea-towel. Wrap the towel around the chestnuts and leave for 5 - 10 minutes (this helps steam the shells so they loosen). Gently crush down on the towel before unwrapping. Shell and enjoy.

Instead of roasting, you can boil for twenty minutes. Cooked and peeled chestnuts can then be used in recipes including stuffings, desserts, soups, salads and much more. I think fresh chestnuts taste completely different to canned or vacuum sealed chestnuts. Enjoy them now whilst they are still in season, and have a very happy and healthy festive season from Griffen Fitness...

If you would like more seasonal hints and tips for the Scottish year, check out personal trainer Tracy Griffen’s ‘Healthy Living Yearbook’, only £9.99 online at www.healthylivingyearbook.com - a perfect Christmas present for your loved one…