[Sca-cooks] Beech Nuts for Atraf al-tib

[lilinah at earthlink.net]

Atraf al-tib may require beech nuts. These are not available
commercially, however. So, unless someone on the list has a beech
tree, i will have to make do with a substitute.

According to what i've been reading, beech trees are related to
chestnuts and oaks, but beech nuts can be a source of oil, and i have
not yet heard of chestnut or acorn oil.

Has anyone ever tasted a beech nut (either American or European)?
What would be a reasonable substitute? Hazelnuts are used in some
Near Eastern recipes - would these be good?

Anahita