Brazil nut - description
Brazil nut is the name of the fruit of the tree of the same name from the Lecithis family, which is also known as high bertolettia. It is considered the largest nut in the world, because its weight sometimes reaches 2.5 kg, and its diameter is from 10 to 15 cm. Brazil nuts have a hard, tree-like shell having a thickness of about 1 cm. Tree with strange fruits similar to coconuts , was discovered as early as the 16th century by Spanish and Portuguese travelers. It was then that the sailors began, going on a long voyage, to take with them a stock of Brazil nuts, with which they compensated for the lack of protein and fiber in their food.
Today, Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Peru, Venezuela and other countries in South America, as well as the islands of Trinidad and Tobago and Sri Lanka, are home to the growth of Brazil nuts. It is interesting that harvests of Brazil nuts are mainly harvested from wild plants, as they do not produce enough fruits in culture.
Bolivia is considered the largest world producer of Brazil nuts, which gives up to 50% of the amount of nuts collected.
Brazil nuts - useful properties
Brazil nut has truly unique nutritional properties. It contains 69% of fats, of which 41% is represented by unsaturated fats that reduce cholesterol levels in the body. Brazil nuts also contain selenium and antioxidant flavonin in sufficient quantities. It is rich in vitamins A, E, B and minerals - selenium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, magnesium, thiamine, copper, niacin, as well as fiber, able to clean the intestines.
It is believed that by eating 2–3 Brazil nuts a day, you can significantly reduce the risk of the formation and development of cancerous tumors. Also, this nut is a powerful antidepressant and anti-aging agent. The unsaturated fats contained in it promote the excretion of harmful cholesterol and the normalization of blood sugar levels. Brazil nut is an excellent prevention of heart problems and thyroid diseases, as well as a means of strengthening the immune system.
However, its use should be very moderate and not exceed 2-3 nuts per day. If we talk about contraindications, it is, first of all, individual intolerance and allergies, as well as hypertension. Since Brazil nuts are very high in calories, they should not be consumed by overweight people. It should also be said that in the European Union strict rules were introduced concerning the import of Brazil nuts in their own shell. The reason for this was the discovery in her of a large number of aflatoxins that cause liver cancer. Now, when importing nuts in the peel, it is removed and subjected to preliminary testing to identify aflatoxins and impose restrictions on the import of a batch if they are detected.
Brazil nut - caloric
Calorie Brazil nut is 660 kcal.
Brazil nut - use in cooking
Many culinary experts believe that the taste and nutritional qualities of the Brazil nut surpass the other nuts. However, they are used in cooking quite traditionally: fresh or fried, in salads, confectionery and other dishes. Brazil nuts are also raw materials for obtaining valuable nut oil.
Recipe Examples with Brazil Nuts
Recipe 1: Cheesecakes with Brazil Nuts
In these ruddy cheesecakes, tender curd goes well with exotic nuts. And if you serve them with pineapple jam, then its taste will be just incomparable!
Ingredients:
5 Brazil nuts;
600 gr. cottage cheese;
2 eggs;
30 gr. Sahara;
50 gr. flour;
50 gr. rast. oils.
Preparation:
1. Grind nuts. Put cottage cheese with eggs, sugar, flour in a bowl, add chopped nuts and mix everything well.
2. From the resulting mass, form cheesecakes, roll them down in flour, put them in a frying pan with heated vegetable oil and fry them on both sides.
3. Such cheesecakes are well served with sour cream, and even better - with pineapple jam.
Recipe 2: Cupcake with Brazil nuts and prunes
Very hearty and tasty cupcake. Of course, this is not a dietary dish at all, but sometimes you can pamper yourself! Moreover, nuts and prunes will bring nothing but good.
Ingredients:
100 gr. pitted prunes;
1 glass of water;
200 gr. flour;
15 gr. baking powder;
100 gr. brazil nut;
0.5 tsp. ground cinnamon with cloves;
100 gr. Sahara;
2 tsp. lemon peel;
75 gr. rast. oils.
Preparation:
1. After washing the prunes well, soak it in hot water, after 20 minutes, pour the water into a separate dish.
2. Sifting flour with baking powder into a bowl, add nuts with spices and sugar. 3. Mix the water, which we drained from prunes, with oil and lemon zest. Pour this mixture into the flour, then, mixing everything, add the prunes and beat with a spoon.
4. After placing the dough in the prepared form, bake about 50 minutes. Taking the finished cupcake out of the oven, leave it in the form for another 10 minutes to cool. Then lay it on the grill and cool completely.
Recipe 3: Strawberry Salad with Brazil Nuts
A truly exquisite salad! The combination of strawberries with Brazil nuts and avocados gives a completely amazing taste, and this salad looks just gorgeous.
Ingredients:
1 avocado;
300 gr. strawberries;
50 gr. brazil nuts;
4 leaves of lettuce.
for refueling:
1 tbsp. l lemon juice and honey;
50 gr. olive oil;
0.5 tbsp. l Sahara.
Preparation:
1. Mixing all the ingredients for filling, put it cool in the fridge.
2. Wash lettuce leaves, dry them and place them on the bottom of a salad bowl.
3. After washing the avocado, cut it in half, remove the bone and cut the flesh into small pieces.
4. After washing the strawberries, cut it into large pieces.
5. Put the avocado slices in the salad bowl, and the strawberries on top.
6. Pound Brazil nuts in a mortar, sprinkle them on the salad. Top we pour the dressing and served on the table.
Brazil nuts - useful tips from experienced chefs
You should not buy Brazil nuts that rattle inside the shell - this is the case with old nuts. The same applies to light and dry nuts. Good, fresh peeled nuts must be dense, crispy and heavy enough.
Peeled Brazil nuts can be stored in the refrigerator by placing them in a closed bag or container (so that they do not absorb foreign odors). You can keep them in the freezer.
To make the taste of nuts more vivid and rich, they can be dried in a pan.
