·In the United States, these buttery-tasting nuts (also called filberts)are grown primarily in Oregon's Willamette Valley. Oregon's first hazelnuttree was planted in 1858; today that state produces almost 99 percent ofthe domestic crop.
· To remove hazelnuts' papery skins, wrap the warm nuts in a cleancloth towel after roasting, and rub; most of the skins will slip off.
· Roasted hazelnuts have such rich flavor, you don't need to fuss overthem. Serve them warm and lightly salted with drinks, or in an elegant salad(a wonderful example is hazelnuts, sliced pears, and arugula, with a simplevinaigrette). Of course, one of the best combinations around is hazelnutsand chocolate-sprinkle the nuts over a hot fudge sundae, add them to browniesor chocolate mousse, or use them in chocolate cakes and candies.
· The rich-tasting hazelnut is at the high end of the fat and caloriescale for nuts, with 188 calories and 19 grams fat per ounce- 91 percentof calories from fat.
Deamer 12/7/96