All Flavor And Health To Your Diet With Hazelnuts

By Brad On June 8, 2009 Under Low Fat Cooking Recipes

Hazelnuts, also known as filberts, are a great health food.  Like other nuts, they are full of protein.  Hazelnuts also contains lots of fiber.  To add to their healthy food status, hazelnuts are full of nutrients like folate (a B vitamin), vitamin E and various antioxidants.  All these things are good for your health.

Try Adding Hazelnuts To Your Diet

Including hazelnuts in your diet isn’t hard to do.  Eat them whole or cracked, to add them easily to your diet as a snack.  Most people really enjoy their rich flavor.

Whole, sliced or diced hazelnuts can also be used in such things as:

  • bakery
  • confectionary
  • garnishes
  • artesian breads
  • entrees
  • salads
  • soups
  • to encrust foods
  • cereals
  • bars
  • dairy products
  • decorating cakes
  • cookies
  • pastries
  • candies
  • mixed in yogurt.

They impart a wonderful flavor to foods, and can be used any way you would use most nuts.

There Are Even More Ways To Use Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts can be ground to make a butter similar to natural peanut butter.  For instance, hazelnuts are also one of the main ingredients in Nutella spread.  Hazelnut butter is unsweetened. However, hazelnut paste has sugar added. It is used in bakery icings and fillings, candies and dairy products.

A free flowing meal is made of finely ground hazelnuts that can be used as a flour replacer, flavoring and binding agent.  It works well in baked goods, adding a special flavor.  Add to that, hazelnut meal can replace the carbs and help make baked goods for a low carb diet.

Ways To Select And Store Hazelnuts

Pick nuts that are heavy and full when buying them in the shell.  The longest shelf life is for the whole nuts.  The more the nuts are processed, the shorter the shelf life they will have.

It’s best roast, chop, slice, or grind them just before use so the nuts stay fresh longer.  However, to have processed hazelnuts handy for addition to a huge variety of dishes, then simply roast the kernels, dice and freeze in an airtight container away from foods with strong odors. They will keep for over a year in the freezer and you can remove the amount you need, bring them to room temperature and use immediately.

Hazelnuts Are Great Nuts!

Add a little variety to your diet with good tasting hazelnuts.  Not only do you get a food that tastes good, but it’s good for you!  That’s a win-win situation to make everyone happy!

Related Posts