Try Castel del Rio chestnuts with rum, a combination of intense and decisive flavor!
Origin
The Castel del Rio chestnut has been a typical produce of the region for 500 years. It is steeped in history, and was always present on the aristocratic tables of the past. In 1559, the Valle del Santerno offered the chestnuts, its most delicious fruit, as a gift to the governor of Romagna. Planted in the Apennines during the Middle Ages, they were a source of livelihood and wealth for many people. In 1885 chestnut groves covered 40% of the land cultivated in the municipality of Castel del Rio. Today these chestnuts represent a culinary specialty and stand out for their taste: sweeter and more delicate than sweet chestnuts, and able to evoke the forest’s aromas. It is protected by a brown shell and a thin skin which are easily removed. To protect their product, chestnut growers have obtained the European PGI recognition.
Cookit
Castel del Rio chestnuts must be served very hot in order to preserve their pleasant and intense rustic aroma. There are several recipes centered around this chestnut, especially during the Christmas period, when the plain chestnut flour cake known as Castagnaccio can be found on every table in Italy. It is also great for stuffing white meats, such as pheasant or turkey. Lastly, chestnut-based desserts should not be overlooked, with famous examples being chestnut pudding, chestnut meringue and Monte Bianco.
Did you know
Castel del Rio chestnuts are rich in nutritional and dietetic substances that are good for the body. Since they are rich in starches and sugars they are the ideal pre-workout food for young athletes and those engaging in intense physical activities. Their high content of mineral salts, such as phosphorus, magnesium and potassium, make them an ideal snack also for students and workers, as they naturally help prevent fatigue. In Castel del Rio there is also a museum dedicated to this small and precious fruit, a fruit that has been characteristic of the life and culture of the mountain community.
