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Water Chestnut Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to water chestnut products
About water chestnuts
Despite having the word "chestnut" in its name, water chestnuts are not a type of nut. Instead, the name comes from the fact that they resemble a chestnut in shape and coloring. They are aquatic tuber vegetables that are native to Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa, Southern China, and Taiwan. Today, you can find them grown across the globe where they grow in marshes underwater. Their tubular green leaves can reach 5 feet tall, while the bulb can be a few inches in diameter.
Water chestnuts are a popular ingredient in many Chinese dishes, and in China, they're mostly eaten raw. They're also peeled, boiled, dried, and ground into flour to make water chestnut cake, which is commonly found in dim sum cuisine. Unlike many other vegetables, they retain their crispness when cooked due to strong cellular walls. Water chestnuts have a sweet, nutty flavor and a slightly juicy finish. Some people claim the taste is a blend of nuts, coconut, and apples.
How to pick out water chestnuts
Water chestnuts are available year-round. When selecting water chestnuts, you want ones that have smooth skin and no soft spots. Squeeze them and select only the firmest ones. You might find that once you peel them, they have turned mushy. It's hard to tell if that will happen until you remove the skin. Just in case, it's better to purchase a few more than you need.
Health benefits of water chestnuts
Water chestnuts are full of nutrients and are low in calories, as a 2.5-ounce serving has 97 calories. Most of these calories come from carbohydrates. It's also a high-volume food as it's made up of 74% water. Following a diet of high-volume foods can help you lose weight as it keeps you feeling full longer without overloading on calories.
- Antioxidants: Water chestnuts contain several types of antioxidants, including flavonoids and ferulic acid, that can reduce your risk of chronic disease and developing certain types of cancers.
- Copper: This mineral is vital for growth and health and is supportive to the nervous, skeletal, and cardiovascular systems.
- Dietary Fiber: Eating plenty of dietary fiber benefits your digestion, regulates blood sugar, and reduces cholesterol levels.
- Manganese: Along with other minerals, such as calcium and zinc, manganese can help reduce bone loss and naturally treat osteoporosis.
- Potassium: Throughout history, water chestnuts have been used to treat risk factors, including high blood pressure. One of the reasons this vegetable can do that is because it's an excellent source of potassium. One cup of water chestnuts has more potassium than one banana.
If you're ready to add some water chestnuts to your diet, let Instacart help you save time. Open the Instacart app, add water chestnuts to your cart, and an Instacart shopper will get started on your order. You can expect to have your Instacart order delivered right to your doorstep in as little as 2 hours!
Water Chestnut Near Me
Buy your favorite Water Chestnut online with Instacart. Order Water Chestnut from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about water chestnuts
If you leave the water chestnuts unpeeled and placed in a plastic bag, they will keep for seven to 10 days in the produce drawer in your refrigerator. Peeled water chestnuts can last for about one week. Soak them in a container full of water and lemon juice, and place them in the refrigerator. This additional step prevents them from drying out and turning brown. It's recommended that you change out the water every one or two days.
Yes, you can freeze fresh water chestnuts, and you can do so with either raw or cooked ones. If freezing raw ones, make sure they're clean. You can decide to peel them now or later. Place the water chestnuts in a freezer-safe plastic bag or container and add enough water to cover them and one teaspoon of lemon juice. This step will prevent them from discoloring when you thaw them.
With freezing cooked water chestnuts, make sure they have cooled before placing them in bags or containers. The raw water chestnuts will last about six months, and the cooked ones will keep for up to one year in the freezer.
Their crisp, white flesh can be enjoyed either raw or cooked, and you will typically find them in Asian dishes such as stir-fries, curries, chop suey, and salads. A popular way to prepare them is to include them in a creamy spinach dip. You can also peel, dice, slice, or grate them.
Before cooking fresh water chestnuts, give them a quick scrubbing. Use a sharp knife to slice off the top and bottom. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin, and rinse them with cold water. Then you can decide if you want to enjoy this vegetable raw or cooked and if you want them sliced or not.