Kestane, known in English as Chestnuts, are readily available in all the popular areas of Istanbul. They are roasted over a fire on a metal pan with wholes drilled in it, and then carefully placed in an aesthetic arrangement around the vendor’s cart. Once cooked, its texture is similar to that of a baked potato, with a delicate, sweet, and nutty flavor and the alluring smell is near irresistible.
Kestane makes a great snack for the wandering tourist as well as the bustling Turk and are highly nutritious. Fresh chestnuts have about 180 calories per 100 grams of the edible inside of the nut, which is much lower than walnuts, almonds, other nuts and dried fruit. Chestnuts, as with all plant foods, contain no cholesterol and contain very little fat, mostly unsaturated, and no gluten.
Chestnuts have been consumed as a staple food in Turkey for millennia as it grows well in mountainous Mediterranean areas. It was heavily relied on as the main source of carbohydrates before the introduction of the potato. In the last few centuries their popularity has declined with the ease of access to different food products throughout the world. However, this does not slow the street vendors of Istanbul selling bag after bag of the tasty snack.
Kestane makes a great snack for the wandering tourist as well as the bustling Turk and are highly nutritious. Fresh chestnuts have about 180 calories per 100 grams of the edible inside of the nut, which is much lower than walnuts, almonds, other nuts and dried fruit. Chestnuts, as with all plant foods, contain no cholesterol and contain very little fat, mostly unsaturated, and no gluten.
Chestnuts have been consumed as a staple food in Turkey for millennia as it grows well in mountainous Mediterranean areas. It was heavily relied on as the main source of carbohydrates before the introduction of the potato. In the last few centuries their popularity has declined with the ease of access to different food products throughout the world. However, this does not slow the street vendors of Istanbul selling bag after bag of the tasty snack.
So next time you’re passing a cart of kestane and your mouth starts to water, go ahead, indulge yourself. Just make sure to get them while they’re hot.