You Really Can Roast Chestnuts On An Open Fire

I'm sure we all agree when I say that these little lives of ours can be complicated and tumultuous at times. So often we need to find a tonic. Some of us have leisure activities such as
golf or tennis. Some of us retreat in to our families and friends when it all gets a bit too much.
There are less helpful remedies to stress such as alcohol and drugs but we all have our own way of dealing with the day to day stuff that can weigh like an anvil on  an already throbbing head.

Over the last 2 weekends I have found picking and roasting sweet chestnuts to be an activity that takes me away from the turmoil and brings me back to the land.
Anything involving food, the outdoors, physical activity and can involve as many other people as you care to invite will never fail to be anything but time well spent.

Gather your chestnuts. Wash them in warm water and dry well. I have already told you how to store them should you not be roasting them immediately.

Before roasting the chestnuts please make sure you have scored them with a cross.
Air must be able to get inside the nut or they will explode and the hard shell can be
dangerous.

When doing my research in to roasting chestnuts I came across articles that said you
should roast for 25 mins. I found that mine were done to perfection within 15.
I also had no need to boil them as was suggested by certain people.

When they come off the fire please be careful as they are very very hot. They will burn you if you handle them straight away.
But on the flip side of that we found this past weekend that to eat them while the nut
is hot is absolutely the way to do it.
So pick a time when you are able to handle the balls of red hot tastiness and get peeling.

Once again you must have everybody involved in the peeling. It can become quite competitive.
Who can peel the nut and keep it all in one piece? I certainly can't but my reasoning for this was that
at least then I wouldn't have to chop it before putting it in to a dish.

The sweet, buttery flavour of this nut is all it's own. Sprinkle them liberally through vegetable dishes. Stuff them in to this seasons autumn lamb. Add organic cranberries to this mix and give them to the children as a wonderfully different and truly seasonal snack. Love them as much as I do and you'll find an excuse to use them on your breakfast cereal.

And just think, you'll also have wonderful memories of the day you gathered you them with those you love and felt the stress drift away along with the leaves that fell around you.

Comments

[Scott at Real Epicurean]

Absolutely delicious as always.

Do you have any tips on how to tell apart sweet chestnuts from your standard "conkers"?

[Rosemary]

There are few things more delicious than chestnuts roasted on an open fire,when my husband was alive we would roast them at least twice a week.

[carolyn]

You definetly need "asbestos fingers" to enjoy them at their best.