Hazels Delight Savor More Hazelnuts with Moore

Description: You know what? I love hazelnut! The flavor, the taste, everything about it makes me feel like a child again. Every time I take a bite of my favorite hazelnut treat, I think back to the days when life was simple and carefree. My name is Hazel Moore, just like this delicious nut. You see, I come from a long line of Hazels. It's said that our ancestors came over on the Mayflower as stowaways hidden in the cargo. Since then, we've become a close-knit family. My parents always made sure we were all together for birthdays and holidays, no matter what. Our traditions are still passed down through generations. We have an annual nuts roast that's been going strong for over 100 years, where everyone brings their own nut dishes to share with one another. I remember when I was a little kid, my mom used to make these delicious hazelnut truffles for me and my sisters. It was the highlight of every holiday season. And then there's my grandpa, who's an amateur horticulturist, and he always had these big bushes growing in his backyard that we would pick from when we were younger. I used to love getting those freshly picked hazels, even though they were a bit bitter at the time. But now as an adult, I appreciate the depth of flavor and complexity of this nut so much more. And it's not just the nuts themselves that I love. There's something about the way you crack them open with your teeth and release that delicious aroma. It's like a little piece of heaven falling from the sky into your mouth. And then there are all the ways we use hazelnuts in our dishes. Hazelnut butter is a staple in our household, especially during breakfast time. I love spreading it on toasted baguette or croissant. It's a perfect balance between sweet and savory, which makes it versatile enough for both sweets and savories. And let's not forget hazelnut coffee, which is my absolute favorite way to enjoy this nut. The aroma is so rich and deep, it's like drinking a dessert! My favorite hazelnut products have to be the Nutella sandwiches. You know how much I love them? They're actually one of the reasons why I moved back home after college. It was so hard to find a place where I could get my fix, but luckily there's a shop in town that sells them all year round. And even though Nutella is technically a chocolate spread, it has hazelnuts as its primary ingredient. So for me, it's a combination of two things I love! There are so many ways to enjoy this nut, but my absolute favorite way is to roast them yourself at home. It's such a simple process; you just put them in the oven until they pop open and then crack them open with a knife or even your teeth if you want to be adventurous. Once they're roasted, you can use them in all sorts of different ways - from making your own Nutella to adding crunch to salads or oatmeal. And don't forget to save the shells! They make for a great addition to craft projects like centerpieces for parties. I hope this has convinced you how amazing hazelnuts are and why we should all start incorporating them into our diets more often. You know what? I think I just might have found my calling as a nut evangelist.