On Chestnuts: The Trees and their Seeds (None) [Paperback]

Ria Loohuizen (Author)

Book Description

Series: None | Publication Date: October 1, 2003

In England, the horse chestnut or conker is a much-loved tree. Its edible cousin, the sweet chestnut, is valued in winter for a turkey stuffing or a bag of nuts from the brazier, but is much less common than in warmer southern climes where it has been an actual staple of the diet of some regions, as well as a crowning delicacy of sweet shops, patisseries and charcuteries. In fact, the horse chestnut is a relative newcomer, not arriving in Europe (from its home in northern India) until the 16th century. The sweet chestnut, originating in Asia Minor, has been with us since the earliest classical time. Both species have medical healing properties: the horse chestnut is used to treat respiratory problem in horses (hence, perhaps its name) and many vascular complaints (varicose veins, poor circulation) in humans. It is an essential component of Bach's Rescue Remedy. Its wood, not much used in construction, was once widely employed in making artificial limbs. The sweet chestnut, by contrast, is a matchless timber. The trees attain great size (the trunk of the largest, in Sicily, was measured at 62 metres girth), and great age. Its importance to European diet has led to its being called l'arbre a pain by the southern French. Its high vitamin C content meant that it was a popular cure for scurvy. Most importantly, it was an essential ingredient in Italian, French and Spanish cookery. Ria Loohuizen includes about 50 recipes for things as varied as a terrine of chestnuts and wild mushrooms, a breast of duck with chestnuts, pancakes made with chestnut flour, and the famous Italian chestnut cake Castagnaccio. Ria Loohuizen is a translator of prose and poetry from English and Spanish as well as a published author of cookery books about the elder, wild mushrooms and the quince.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ria Loohuizen is a translator of prose and poetry from English and Spanish as well as a published author of cookery books about the elder, wild mushrooms and the quince.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Prospect Books (October 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903018323
• ISBN-13: 978-1903018323
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #876,893 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very few books on the market cover the horse chestut and sweet chestnut alike, December 12, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Chestnuts: The Trees and their Seeds (None) (Paperback)

Very few books on the market cover the horse chestut and sweet chestnut alike, very few offer a blend of healing insights, recipes and history, and fewer still appear in an affordable paperback - all of which makes On Chestnuts: The Trees and Their Seeds a unique recommendation for public and college libraries alike. Chapters pair history with recipes and gardening and health insights: any collection which doesn't have a chestnut book and which excels in either cookbooks or gardening guides must have this.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

0 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars loohuizen, February 9, 2004

By 

jeremy loohuizen (Somewhere just south of nowhere) - See all my reviews

This review is from: On Chestnuts: The Trees and their Seeds (None) (Paperback)

yeh i think this author is definitely the best i mean how many other loohuizens do you find? crazy. i'm sure holland is nice.
CHESTNUTS RULE!!!