Add Hazelnuts To Your Diet For Good Health

Also known as filberts, hazelnuts are a great health food.  They are full of protein like most nuts.  They have a lot of fiber.  To add to their good-for-you status, hazelnuts are full of nutrients like folate (a B vitamin), vitamin E and various antioxidants.  These are all things that are good for your health.

Try Adding Hazelnuts To Your Diet

Including hazelnuts in your diet isn’t hard to do.  A snack is one easy way to use them. They can be eaten whole or cracked.  The rich flavor of hazelnuts is enjoyed by most people.

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.

Use them the same way you would use most nuts. They impart a wonderful flavor to foods.

Hazelnuts Can Be Used Even More Ways

Hazelnuts can be ground to make a butter similar to natural peanut butter.  In fact, 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.

Hazelnuts, when finely ground, make a free flowing meal 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.

Ideas On How To Select And Store Hazelnuts

To purchase nuts still in the shell, pick those that are heavy and full.  The longest shelf life is for the whole nuts.  The more processed the nuts are, 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.  If you wish to have processed hazelnuts handy for addition to a huge variety of dishes, however, then simply roast the kernels, dice and freeze in an airtight container away from foods with strong odors. In the freezer they will keep for over a year, and you can remove the amount you need, bring them to room temperature and use immediately.

Go Nuts For Hazelnuts!

Put some variety in your diet with flavorful hazelnuts.  Not only do you get a food that tastes good, but it’s good for you!  It’s a situation that is win-win, and that makes everyone happy!