Hazelnuts
Hazelnuts are a versatile and flavorful ingredient used in various culinary applications, from sweet to savory dishes. Here are some of the common ways hazelnuts are used in cooking:
Baked Goods and Desserts:
Pastries and Breads: Hazelnuts are often incorporated into pastries, bread, muffins, and cookies, providing a nutty flavor and crunchy texture.
Cakes and Tarts: They are used in cakes and tarts, either as a ground meal to add flavor and texture or as a garnish on top.
Chocolate Desserts: Hazelnuts pair exceptionally well with chocolate, evident in famous spreads like Nutella and in chocolates like truffles and pralines.
Confectionery:
Hazelnuts are a key ingredient in many confections, such as gianduja (a sweet chocolate spread containing hazelnut paste) and various types of pralines and nougats.
Savory Dishes:
Salads: Toasted hazelnuts add crunch and depth to salads, complementing both leafy greens and grain-based salads.
Pesto and Sauces: Ground hazelnuts can be used to make pesto, providing a twist to the traditional pine nut recipe. They also thicken and enrich sauces.
Stuffings and Coatings: Hazelnuts can be used in stuffings for poultry or as a crust for baked or fried fish and meats.
Spreads and Dips:
Hazelnuts are ground into a paste or butter, used as a spread on toast, or incorporated into dips and spreads for a rich, nutty flavor.
Garnishing and Finishing:
Chopped or whole hazelnuts are used as a garnish on desserts, salads, and even some savory dishes to add a final touch of flavor and texture.
Oil:
Hazelnut oil is a flavorful oil used in salad dressings, drizzled over cooked dishes, or used in baking, offering a delicate, nutty essence.
Dairy and Non-Dairy Alternatives:
Hazelnuts are used to make hazelnut milk, a popular non-dairy alternative, and can be found in hazelnut-flavored creams and liqueurs.
When using hazelnuts in cooking, they are often roasted to enhance their flavor and make the skins easier to remove, as the skins can be slightly bitter. Hazelnuts add a distinct, rich, and nutty flavor to dishes, making them a favorite ingredient in both traditional and innovative recipes.
Nutritional Information
fats
61 g
protein
15 g
calories
628
carbohydrates
17 g