Nebrodi hazelnuts are one of the flagships of Sicilian gastronomy. If you think that dried fruit on the island is reduced to Bronte pistachios, you are wrong. And big. Sicily is among the top four Italian regions for hazelnut groves, and the Nebrodi area hosts 80% of the Sicilian production of these fruits. The Nebrodi hazelnuts are a source of pride and a resource. For this they deserve to be known even outside the Sicilian borders. What are the properties , benefits and price of organic Nebrodi hazelnuts and how best to use them in the kitchen to satisfy the palate? Here's everything you need to know.
Nebrodi hazelnuts
Whoever says hazelnuts in Sicily says Nebrodi. More precisely, the Nebrodi Park, the largest protected natural area in Sicily, an area of over 12 thousand uncontaminated and protected hectares, which stands out for its rich biodiversity . In the portion of territory between the municipalities of Castell'Umberto, Tortorici and Ucria, hazelnuts have been grown since the end of the 19th century as a result of the mulberry growing crisis. In fact, the hazelnuts took the place of the mulberry trees. And they immediately found fertile ground there, thanks to their great adaptability. The hazelnut here is harvested starting from the end of August and until October by hand, today as in the past, when it has reached maturity it falls from the trees.
Characteristics of the Nebrodi hazelnut
It is part of the list of Traditional Agri-Food Products of the Sicily region (PAT) and has obtained the Dop mark. The round Sicilian hazelnut is appreciated for its delicate flavour, deriving from the perfect balance between its aroma (strong and pleasant), between the decisive aftertaste, the perfume and the crunchy texture of the fruit. An absolutely winning mix. These characteristics - which make it a quality product - have allowed it to become the absolute protagonist of numerous recipes , including delicious typical Sicilian desserts .
Nebrodi hazelnuts, nutritional values
Poor in water and rich in calories, hazelnuts are a precious food in terms of nutritional values , but to be consumed in moderation. 100 g of hazelnuts provide 655 calories and are made up of 88% lipids, about 8% proteins and 4% carbohydrates. They are sources of oleic acid , alpha-linolenic acid and palmitic acid and are cholesterol-free.
They also contain vitamin E, vitamin C, niacin, thiamine, vitamin A and mineral salts such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and iron. But also sodium (they contain 11 mg per 100 g), manganese phytic acid and folate (especially useful during pregnancy).
Nebrodi hazelnuts, properties
That dried fruit is very important for health is a certain fact: it is rich in mineral salts, vitamins, fibers and unsaturated fats. It also has properties that make it an ideal food to promote health. And hazelnuts are no exception. The unsaturated omega 3 fatty acids present in them, for example, help to lower blood cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. They are known for their antioxidant properties (thanks to the selenium content), and suitable for vegetarians, vegans, sportsmen, students and coeliacs as they are gluten-free.
Nebrodi hazelnuts in the kitchen: recipes
The use of Nebrodi hazelnuts in the kitchen can be traced back mainly to the field of pastry . Even if, as we will see, there is no shortage of interesting uses in savory dishes. Among the recipes of which the absolute protagonists stand out the marzipan of Tortorici (recently become a Slow Food Presidium ), the croccantini, the nougat, the baci (roasted hazelnuts covered in chocolate ) and the bacetti , widespread throughout the island, and the twigs (typical, these, of Longi). Without forgetting the hazelnut ice cream : unthinkable to be in Sicily and not taste it. Interesting is the hazelnut pesto, to season pasta-based first courses. And the use of hazelnuts as part of a mixed aperitif.
Nyaleere , CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Crunchies with Nebrodi hazelnuts
In some parts of Italy they are known as " ugly but good ". They are very simple to make and require very few ingredients.
Ingredients
- 250 g of chopped hazelnuts
- 250 g of sugar
- 4 egg whites
- 20 g of icing sugar
Preparation
- Whip the egg whites until stiff, gradually adding the sugar and the chopped hazelnuts.
- Transfer to a saucepan on the heat and cook for a couple of minutes.
- Make balls and dust them with powdered sugar.
- Arrange them in a pan greased with oil and cook in a hot oven at 180°C for about twenty minutes.
Longi sprigs, recipe
Ingredients
- 300g flour
- 250 g toasted hazelnuts
- 200 g sugar
- 150ml water
- cinnamon
- salt
Preparation
- Coarsely chop the hazelnuts. Add the sugar and flour, and create a fountain.
- Add the cinnamon and salt and mix with your hands. Obtained a firm and smooth dough, create rolls or circles.
- Bake the biscuits at 180 °C in a hot oven for 15 minutes.
Price of Nebrodi hazelnuts
Where to buy Nebrodi hazelnuts ? At local producers, if you have the opportunity. But also online, on e-commerce of Sicilian products such as Sicilyaddict, where you can also find Sicilian organic products such as dried fruit. Here you will find different ways to taste them: you can buy them in the form of hazelnut flour , a practical way to use them in various recipes. Or you can give a chance to the Nebrodi hazelnut cake , a delight for the eyes and the palate. The price of organic Nebrodi hazelnuts in Sicily is between 12 and 16 euros (shelled).
