Chestnut
Guys eat chestnuts, often with rare meats, but they never have pain... tough guys!
The chestnut, a very useful fruit
The chestnut has always been present in Corrèze and more widely in Limousin. It served us well! This fruit represented, for several years, the only meal for farmers in the region. The chestnut tree was thus named “the breadfruit tree”. It was the peasants themselves who cultivated chestnut trees near their homes.
In addition to making it their meal, they also fed their animals with chestnuts, particularly pigs. To make matters worse, chestnut wood was also widely used on farms. It was made into posts, fences, firewood or even lumber for frames or furniture.
The history of chestnut cultivation in Limousin
It was from the 1815th to the 500th century that chestnut production reached its peak in Limousin. In 1852 Corrèze produced 34 hectoliters of chestnuts then in XNUMX this production represented nearly XNUMX% of the area of the department.
Unfortunately, France saw chestnut cultivation decline precipitously in the 1871th century. Several elements are to blame: the agricultural and industrial revolutions, the deforestation of chestnut trees to harvest tannin and its wood but also the arrival of ink disease in 70. All these elements resulted in a fall of 1890 % of production between 1920 and XNUMX.
Chestnuts in local gastronomy
Although it is no longer omnipresent in our territory, the chestnut remains well anchored in our land. It is used in our recipes. local, particularly for the stuffing with the famous chestnut puddings of Uzerche for example.
You can also find our dear chestnut in terrines, as an accompaniment to all meats, in liqueurs and of course in pastries or other delicacies.
You'll have to get started now if you want to try all our chestnut specialties!
You can also attend the Beynat Chestnut and Chestnut Fair which takes place in autumn.
Useful information
To find out more about chestnuts, go to:
The Brossard farm – Chestnut ecomuseum: Brossard - 19190 LANTEUIL. Such . : 05 55 85 59 21 or 06 81 96 13 38
You will also like...
