Water chestnuts, also known as Chinese water chestnuts, are aquatic vegetables that grow in marshes, ponds, and lakes. On the other hand, chestnuts are tree nuts that have eight or nine species of trees and shrubs.
Are chestnuts and water chestnuts the same thing?
Water Chestnuts. Some people wonder about the difference between chestnuts and water chestnuts, and they are completely different things. Unlike sweet chestnuts, which are the fruit of a tree, water chestnuts are part of the root structure of a grass-like plant, Eleocharis dulcis, that grows underwater in marshes.
Do Chinese use water chestnuts?
Water Chestnut Uses
Water chestnuts are most often used in Chinese recipes in a stir-fry along with other vegetables, but they can also be part of a classic bacon appetizer, and add a welcome crunch to a creamy spinach dip.
What else are water chestnuts called?
Water chestnuts of the genus Trapa (family Trapaceae) are native to Europe, Asia, and Africa and are also known as water caltrops. The name water chestnut is commonly applied to their edible nutlike fruits.
What are water chestnuts in Chinese food?
In China, they are most often eaten raw, sometimes sweetened. They also may be ground into a flour form used for making water chestnut cake, which is common as part of dim sum cuisine.
Eleocharis dulcis.
| Chinese water chestnut | |
|---|---|
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Cyperaceae |
| Genus: | Eleocharis |
| Species: | E. dulcis |
Can you eat water chestnuts out of the can?
You can eat water chestnuts raw, boiled, grilled, pickled, or from a can. Water chestnuts are unusual because they remain crisp even after being cooked or canned due to their ferulic acid content.
Do you rinse canned water chestnuts?
Canned water chestnuts should be rinsed under cool, running water. To remove the “tinny” taste, soak the rinsed water chestnuts in fresh water with 1 teaspoon of baking soda for 10 minutes before slicing or chopping for various recipes.
How do you cook Chinese water chestnuts?
- Boil a vesselful of water along with the salt in a deep pan.
- Heat the oil in a wok / kadhai on a high flame till it smokes.
- Add the garlic and spring onion whites and sauté on a high flame for a minute.
- Add the water chestnuts, schezuan sauce, water, salt and sugar, mix well and cook on a medium flame for 2 minutes.
What do Chinese chestnuts taste like?
That’s because real water chestnuts—the fresh kind, that is—are fantastically flavorful and downright fruity: sweet and nutty and tart all at once, like a cross between a coconut and an apple, with the texture of an Asian pear.
Can I substitute water chestnuts for chestnuts?
Though they share a name, and have some similarities, chestnuts and water chestnuts are not related and can’t serve as substitutes for each other. Chestnuts (also known as tree chestnuts) grow on chestnut trees, and are common throughout Europe, Asia, and the United States.
How many types of water chestnuts are there?
There are two plants referred to as water chestnut plants: Eleocharis dulcis and Trapa natans. One is commonly thought to be invasive while the other may be grown and eaten in a number of Asian dishes and stir-fries.
Do canned water chestnuts need to be cooked?
As for canned water chestnuts, you can eat them either raw or cooked. But despite the cooking method and the type of water chestnuts you are using, make sure to not overcook the chestnuts. Overcooking causes the chestnuts to lose their crunchy texture which is one of the main reasons they are added into various dishes.
What are the crunchy discs in Chinese food?
What are those crunchy things in your stir-fry? They’re water chestnuts, and they’re surprisingly good for you! You probably already know a few things about water chestnuts. They’re white and crunchy, and you’ll find them in a ton of Asian-style stir fry dishes.
What is the weird vegetable in Chinese food?
White Radish on Daikon (白萝卜 báiluóbo)
Most people from other countries find these to be unusual because they are very big, sometimes three feet long, and they look like huge white carrots. It is a vegetable that most Westerners haven’t eaten.
What are the white crunchy noodles in Chinese food?
These crispy noodles are made with thin rice noodles (also called rice vermicelli), which makes them gluten free. The key to crispy noodles is having the oil hot enough so they expand immediately—so make sure to test with a noodle or two first.
How do you eat Chinese water chestnuts?
You can just eat the peeled water chestnuts as snacks. You can use whole, peeled water chestnuts to make bacon wrapped water chestnuts, a more refreshing and cheaper alternative to bacon wrapped oysters. You can slice them to make some crunchy meatballs or a quick stir fry.
Can diabetics eat water chestnuts?
6) Water chestnuts are great as a snack for weight loss and diabetics because they are low in cholesterol. They also help reduce inflammation in the body which is the root cause of many health issues. Water chestnuts are gluten-free too, which make them an ideal food for those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
Are water chestnuts good for weight loss?
Water chestnuts are made of 74% water, which makes them a high-volume food. Following a diet abundant in high-volume foods may help you lose weight, as they can keep you fuller for longer with fewer calories.
Why do water chestnuts stay crunchy when cooked?
Why do water chestnuts stay crunchy when cooked? They are unusual among vegetables for remaining crisp even after being cooked or canned, because their cell walls are cross-linked and strengthened by certain phenolic compounds, like oligomers of ferulic acid.
Can dogs eat water chestnuts?
Yes, dogs can eat raw water chestnuts. Sliced raw water chestnuts are healthy treats to share with your pet once in a while. They are still very high in carbs and fiber.
How do you Stir Fry canned water chestnuts?
Opened canned water chestnuts should be stored in water and used within 3-4 days. To cook: Stir fry fresh sliced water chestnuts for 5 minutes and sliced canned water chestnuts for 2 minutes. If the chestnuts are cooked for any longer they will not retain their crunchy texture.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.