CHESTNUT and MARUN, symbol of autumn

Archaeological evidence exists that one of the first foods man ate was chestnuts. 

Nine species of chestnuts, as many as there are, are a tree that can grow up to 25 meters in height, be up to 500 years old and give 200 kilos of chestnut fruit a year. Although the chestnut is a forest tree, botanists classify it as a fruit tree.

 In Croatia, the most famous is "chestnut Marun" - chestnut that grows on the slopes of Učka, near Opatija and Lovran. Marunada is the most famous chestnut festival in Croatia, which is held every year in October in Lovran. With great justification, it is not without reason included among the gastronomic events that should not be missed on the list of the famous British newspaper Guardian. The first Marunada was held in 1973, and what makes it special are the "chestnuts Marun". Compared to other chestnuts they are larger, brighter and sweeter.

In general, chestnuts are nutritionally high-value foods: 53% are water, 2.9 grams are protein, 44 grams are carbohydrates, and the main ingredient is starch about 44% in raw seeds, the amount of which is often compared to potatoes.

 Chestnuts can also be used to make flour that is used alone or mixed with other cereal flour to make pastries and bread. But it is most often used in the form of chestnut puree and as an addition to dishes and soups. Chestnut desserts are also unavoidable, from chestnut cubes to various types of cakes, pancakes, various rolls and even ice cream. It is available in frozen form all winter, so it is also used to prepare Christmas and New Year's cakes. Whether baked or cooked, chestnuts are one of the children’s favorite desserts.

Young wine, honey liqueur, folklore customs of this region and the inevitable chestnuts in various forms and flavors - are the offer of the month of October, which is gladly accepted. Hot chestnuts in a roll, fingers already black from peeling and all this is part of creating memories from year to year…. Mom, when will  have chestnuts, children ask with joy ?!