If using dried chestnuts, soak in hot water for several hours before peeling. (If your roasted chestnuts are really difficult to peel, it’s usually a sign of old chestnuts.). This step will help them to steam in the oven. Look for the fresh chestnuts that are plump and firm with shiny shells, and a weighty feel in your hand. Never eat fresh chestnuts raw, as they are tannic and tart. Leave the nuts in the tin to cool down to warm – they will be very hot inside. Advertising Policy David Rocco brings it back to basics with Roasted Chestnuts.Yes, you can do it over an open fire, but you can also roast chestnuts in the oven. Start peeling as soon as they’re cool enough to handle. (It’s important to use a clean tea towel to keep them warm so the skins don’t shrink back onto the nuts. Required fields are marked *, these look terrific I love roasted chestnuts. I’ll also show you how to peel skins easily so you can enjoy delicious chestnuts! How to store roasted chestnuts. The inner skin should come out easily with the shell if you use fresh chestnuts. If some chestnuts cool off and become tricky to peel, you can pop them back in the oven for a few minutes to warm up. I really hope I can find them this year, I sure havent had any luck the last two years! You can roast them in your oven without any special equipment, or you can use a chestnut roasting pan or a regular skillet to easily cook them on the stovetop or even an open fire (see recipe notes). As the chestnut cooks, the skin will pull apart at the “X,” making it easier to remove. 3 of 6 How to Peel Chestnuts While the chestnuts are Peel the shell at the “X” mark. Grown in China and Japan for centuries, chestnuts have a long and esteemed history of cultivation. Bring a pot of water to boil and remove from heat. As the chestnut cooks, the skin will pull apart at the “X,” making it easier to remove. To facilitate the peeling of the chestnut skin, use a small sharp knife to cut an “X” through the skin on the flat side of the nut. Cut through the shell on the rounded side to score an “X” with a serrated knife. Mastering the preparation technique is the key to making this tree nut easier to eat. Rinse off the dirt from raw chestnuts and cut through the shell on the rounded side to score an “X”. Your email address will not be published. Place the oven rack in the middle position and then preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Rich and “meaty,” they are a starchy food and can be served as a vegetable, mashed like potatoes. Chestnuts are one of the lowest fat nuts (less than 2% fat, compared with 73% fat for macadamia nuts) according to USDA, but are high in protein, vitamins, and fiber. A tray of freshly roasted chestnuts is a wonderful festive snack, but you can also serve them with roasted meats, fold them into your stuffing mixture, or chop them up to add to crumble toppings. Roast chestnuts with a touch of cinnamon for a winter treat. Peel the shell at the “X” mark. Roast for about 20 minutes until the peel is curled up and chestnuts are cooked through. It’ll also help you with peeling after roasting. Fresh chestnuts are most abundant in fall and winter. After slitting the shells, transfer the chestnuts to a chestnut roasting pan or a rimmed baking pan, and roast them in a 350-degree oven for about 35 minutes. This post may contain affiliate links. Be careful with the knife as the outer shell can be very slippery. Once they’re cool enough to safely touch, pinch the skin and pull the hard shells until they snap off. If you want to republish this recipe, please link back to this post. And interestingly, unlike other nuts, chestnuts supply a respectable amount of vitamin C. For a full listing of nutrients, see Chestnuts in the National Nutrient Database. Then remove them from the oven and keep warm in a tea towel for 5-10 minutes before peeling. Your email address will not be published. The only way for those chestnuts roasted over an open fire to get any better, is for them to become a part of Roger Mooking’s Fire-Roasted Chestnut Caramel Cookies (pictured). Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Info The aroma of chestnuts roasting signals a delicious beginning to the cold-weather months. Cookie Preferences Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. While efforts are underway to re-establish a disease-resistant variety of the native chestnut tree, most chestnuts we get today are from Europe. Peeled chestnuts can be eaten as is, or used in a recipe that calls for cooked chestnuts. Chestnuts are a very welcome accompaniment to a roast dinner. Place the cut chestnuts in a medium bowl. They add depth to both sweet and savoury dishes. Move things around so that there’s a bed of coals that the pan can rest on. After you’ve scored chestnuts, soak them in a bowl of hot water for 1 minute. Scoring and soaking before roasting is the key to making this tree nut easier to eat. Fresh chestnuts should be stored in fridge for a few days before cooking. Learn how to roast chestnuts in an oven, pan or on an open fire this holiday season. I’ll also show you how to peel skins easily to enjoy the delicious chestnuts! Adjust the roasting time slightly depending on the temperature and the size of your chestnuts. Using a slotted spoon, remove soaked chestnuts to a cutting board or plate and then pat dry with paper towels. It’s ok to cut right into the chestnuts.). Images and text on this website are copyright protected. These mild flavored nuts have a lot of moisture and make for a nice chewy bite. Roasting chestnuts is my favorite way to cook chestnuts. They can also be used in both sweet and savory dishes. (Make sure to cut through the skin, otherwise, the skin won’t curl up during baking. They can be cooked whole alongside meat, as with our roast guinea fowl dish and they pair perfectly with Christmas sprouts . * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Not long after they are harvested, much of their starch turns to sugar, giving them a satisfying sweetness. How to Serve and Store Chestnuts. What do Roasted Chestnuts Taste Like? Set aside a rimmed baking sheet. If you’re familiar with the Christmas song “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire”, then try making this special treat at home this year! If using dried chestnuts, soak in hot water for several hours before peeling. Toss roasted chestnuts with pancetta and sage in … Pour the hot water over the scored chestnuts and soak for 1 minute. UCB School of Public Health A low-fat, high-carbohydrate food, chestnuts supply protein, thiamin, vitamin B6, and potassium. If it’s too hard to handle with your fingers, use a paring knife. They’re also gluten-free. If you have leftover chestnuts, you can chop them and add to cookies, cakes, puddings, Thanksgiving stuffing, soups and salads, etc. Start peeling as soon as they’re cool enough to handle. In the early years of Colonial America, chestnuts supplied a year-round source of sustenance. Make a comforting winter chestnut soup. And when paired with a snifter of brandy, or even a shot of whiskey, roasted chestnuts can make for a wonderfully warming winter snack. Add scored chestnuts to the pan in a single layer. Cook chestnuts for 15-20 minutes or until opened. About Us Step-by-step guide on how to roast chestnuts in an oven, pan or on fire. The first step is to make sure you get fresh chestnuts, otherwise, they can turn out hard and dry. They are also sold dried shelled, especially in Chinese and Italian markets. Then soak them in hot water for 1 minute, and then pat dry. Pour the hot water over the scored chestnuts and soak for 1 minute. If you want to add flavorings, add them during the last 5 minutes of cooking, and toss well with the seasonings and spices of your choice, such as melted butter, honey, rosemary, salt, etc. Start a fireplace or campfire.