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Superfoods Peru Chestnuts
Photograph: Tijana Drndarski

Food Ticket: eat your way to Peru with chestnuts

One of the Amazon’s most underrated superfoods

Time Out Singapore in partnership with Trade Commission of Peru
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One of the most nostalgic street snacks is a warm paper bag filled with toasty chestnuts. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire are a beloved tradition, and their undeniably recognisable smell signals wintertime in the city. Demand for Peruvian superfoods has been growing in markets worldwide due to consumers wanting to incorporate healthy and natural products in their everyday life. Amazon chestnuts are packed with nutrients and are the rising stars of Peruvian agriculture. 

RECOMMENDED: Eat your way to Peru with grapes.

Photograph: Yisa Guo

Chestnuts are loaded with antioxidants which protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals, two of which – lutein and zeaxanthin – accumulate in the retinas to protect against damage from blue light. Chestnuts are a good source of fibre, keeping everything in your digestive tract moving along and supporting the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. They are high in carbohydrates which makes them a great energy-booster, perfect as a pre-workout snack or if you need to reach for something when you hit that midday slump.

Photograph: Sare

Raw chestnuts have a crunchy texture and bitter flavour profile. While they can be eaten raw, their casing is high in tannins which can irritate digestive tissue. They can be enjoyed steamed, boiled or roasted, just make sure to pierce the skin of the chestnuts beforehand so they don’t explode. Once cooked, the skin can be easily removed, revealing a soft texture with a sweet, nutty, and buttery taste (similar to a cooked sweet potato). 

Since chestnuts have a rather mild taste with a touch of sweetness, they are extremely versatile and can be used both for sweet and salty dishes such as in breads, sauces, stuffing, soups, dips, desserts, and as toppings. In Singapore, Peruvian chestnuts can be purchased online from RedMart.

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