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On the pleasures of roasting chestnuts

13/6/2016

16 Comments

 
Chestnuts - photo courtesy Chestnuts Australia
There was a time when I thought that life was too short to be bothered with roasting chestnuts at home. Sure, I enjoyed buying bags of them, steaming hot and freshly roasted, from sellers at market stalls - but had struggled with preparing them myself. And then I discovered that there are different varieties of chestnuts, some of which are easier to peel than others. 

Find a grower or greengrocer who carries varieties such as Purton's Pride or De Coppi Marone, and you will find that cooking chestnuts can be a most pleasurable experience. If you are unsure, just ask the grocer or seller.

In Australia, the chestnut season runs from March through to July, but you may still find them throughout August, too. Choose those with a firm, glossy brown shell and check to make sure that they feel heavy for their size. Reject any with a damaged shell.

To store, pop chestnuts in a brown paper bag in the crisper of your fridge and make sure you use them within two or three days. If you want to keep them for longer, cook the chestnuts and peel them before freezing the flesh.

The simplest way to roast chestnuts is to cut an 'X' on the flat side of the shell using the tip of a sharp paring knife. Preheat your oven to 200°C. Place the chestnuts cut side up on a tray and roast them for about 15-20 minutes, or until the shells split open. Don't be too concerned if the outer shell begins to turn black.

Remove the tray from the oven and wrap the chestnuts in a clean tea towel, leaving them to steam for 5-10 minutes. Then sit at a table with a loved one, to peel and enjoy the roasted chestnuts while they are still warm. It's that easy.

Roasted chestnuts can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups and salads. You will find a superb selection of recipes on the Chestnuts Australia Inc. web site, and also on the Cheznuts web pages. There is also a baked chocolate chestnut pudding recipe here.
Scoring chestnuts - image Chestnuts Australia
Roasted chestnuts - image courtesy Chestnuts Australia
Apart from the image at the top of this article (chestnuts on the tree), photographs appear kind courtesy of Chestnuts Australia Inc. For news about chestnuts, including the downloadable recipe and information leaflet, visit the web site.

Have you ever tried roasting chestnuts at home, dear readers? Perhaps you have a favourite grower, or a tree in your garden?
16 Comments
Tandy I Lavender and Lime link
12/6/2016 01:05:31 am

I've never seen chestnuts for sale in the shops here

Reply
Lizzy
12/6/2016 01:09:00 am

Oh, boo, Tandy.

Reply
Simone Mason
12/6/2016 01:09:40 am

Love chestnuts Lizzie. They were selling them at the supermarket this week. Now I know what to do. Thank you.

Reply
David link
12/6/2016 11:07:01 am

I love chestnuts! Thanks for the varietal tips!

Reply
Lizzy
4/7/2016 09:17:16 pm

My pleasure!

Reply
Francesca link
12/6/2016 06:21:26 pm

I have seen them about. I used to do them in an open fire in a special hole studded pan, but must try this method

Reply
Lizzy
4/7/2016 09:17:35 pm

Absolutely!

Reply
Elizabeth Connolly link
12/6/2016 08:13:36 pm

Love, love Chestnuts and especially chestnut soup! It is very difficult to find them here in Queensland... I will need to go searching!
Thanks for sharing!
Liz x

Reply
Lizzy
4/7/2016 09:17:57 pm

Hi Elizabeth... I hope you can find some xx

Reply
Eha
12/6/2016 08:52:08 pm

Boo-hoo!!! Have yet to see them locally and tho' I just love the taste have to acknowledge ignorance in having personally prepared!! OK! I absolutely LOVED gathering chestnuts in autumnal parks in Europe as a child . . . .beautiful and shiny once one got them out of their spiky, hairy overcoats!! I supposed I collected them as some still collect marbles!!

Reply
Lizzy
4/7/2016 09:18:16 pm

That is such a lovely story, Eha, thank you for sharing xx

Reply
Janet aka Middle Aged Mama link
13/6/2016 02:20:06 am

Have read about roast chestnuts for years (Enid Blyton!) and always longed to have them. Then we bought some in Canberra during a visit many years ago. Blech and phtooey! Nothing like what I expected!!! LOL

Reply
Lizzy
4/7/2016 09:18:35 pm

Too funny! xx

Reply
Anna @ shenANNAgans link
21/6/2016 04:56:31 am

I have a love hate relationship with chestnuts, but do appreciate your tips. I say I bring a bag of chestnuts and you cook and peel em? Yes?! :)

Reply
Lizzy
4/7/2016 09:18:51 pm

Ummmmm, ok xxx

Reply
Rowan
2/7/2017 08:29:02 pm

Hi Lizzy,
I know this is out of date but may be of interest to you. Every Mothers Day there is a Chestnut Roast at Hoskinstown (just 20 mins from Queanbeyan) where local chestnut farm, Tweenhills of Fyshwich Markets fame, sell fresh and roasted chestnuts. There are also chestnut soups, chestnut, pork, sage and apple sausages (cooked and uncooked), chestnut biscotti, etc for sale. I run cooking demonstrations and show people what they can do with chestnuts. There's also stalls selling lovely products as well. Hope you can make it in 2018.

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