The Queen of Autumn
The Chestnut
A thorny Outer with a Heart of Gold
The explosion of colours of The Copper Forest during autumn in the Genal Valley is “must-see”.
The chestnuts of the Genal Valley are rich in proteins and low in calories, but their most impressive talent is the flamboyant colour display in autumn in the Genal Valley.
This golden carpet covering the hills of our valley is due to the chestnut trees turning from vibrant green to a palette of golden and orange hues. The rolling hills with their irresistible golds, browns and copper become a theatre of nature where a new and more beautiful scene unfolds every day.
But the chestnuts of the Genal Valley have more than their colourful wardrobe to offer…
During autumn and winter the villagers celebrate the Queen of the Genal Valley, the chestnut.
Not only do several villages such as Yunquera and Pujerra hold festivals in honour of the chestnuts of the Genal Valley, but you also find chestnuts in every shop and the smell of chestnuts roasting makes your mouth water.
The local villagers eat the chestnuts raw – they peel off the hard leathery outer skin and the soft yellow inner skin and pop them into their mouth right under the tree.
But there are also many different and mouth-watering recipes with chestnuts of the Genal Valley. A firm favourite is creamy chestnut soup with some hearty local bread and, for the more adventurous, why not fry a few pieces of bacon to garnish with? Chestnut risotto with butternut is the perfect dish to warm a winter’s evening. And for desert try chocolate chip chestnut cake or chestnut mousse.
Restaurants of the Genal Valley offer mouth-watering lamb stew with chestnuts of the Genal Valley, chestnut flan or chestnut cream and chestnuts in brandy that is produced right here in Benalauría.
Who would have thought that a hard and thorny ball can have such a treasure inside!
“The walks around the area are gorgeous (especially the one starting right at the front door)”
Hoping to see you soon!
Elizabeth