Page 18 - Kvarner_gastro_EN.indd

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G A S T R O N O M I C K V A R N E R
18
CHESTNUTS - HOT AND
TASTY
Among the natural riches of the coastal region
of the Učka peninsula, above Lovran and Opatia,
are the luxuriant sub-Mediterranean chestnut
forests, whose fruits are large and sweet. The
people have long grafted and improved upon the
local chestnuts chestnut trees, so that chestnuts
from this region command the highest market
prices. Roasted or boiled chestnuts are very tasty
and have long been used in soups, purées, desserts
or even served with roasted
meats. In contrast to walnuts,
hazelnuts or almonds, which
are rich in fat, chestnuts are rich in carbohydrates.
Besides sugar, they also contain proteins, only a
little fat, and vitamins C and B. Chestnuts once
had a great significance in the diets of the poor,
who ground them into flour. From such sweet
flour, the French, Italians and Spanish make
bread, cook porridge and bake cakes. Every
October, when the chestnuts are harvested, a
chestnut festival known as Marunada is held in
Lovran. Everything is devoted to chestnuts and
the shouts of chestnut vendors can be heard from
many street corners.