We know Fall is right around the corner when the Chestnuts fall from the neighbor’s tree at the LakeHouse in Pennsylvania. It’s usually right before we leave for Arizona in late September. They begin to open when still on the tree but then fall to the ground pretty quickly.
CHESTNUTS ON THE TREE
GATHERING CHESTNUTS
The best way to collect the Chestnuts is to wait until they open up and fall to the ground. They will fall out of those pods. By the way… those pods HURT! So I just wait patiently for them to drop out of their pods. And when they cover the ground… I collect them. If you are not as lucky as we are to have them growing close by… you can purchase them in some grocery stores. Especially right now during the Holiday Season.
*These are not Buckeyes! Do not eat or roast Buckeyes!*
CHESTNUTS IN HOME DECOR
Before I begin making Roasted Chestnuts… I use some in our décor at the LakeHouse.
They bring such a beautiful natural element to our vignettes.
However… the real reason we love them is because of the way they taste after they are roasted! Warm right out of the oven! Delicious!
ROASTING CHESTNUTS
**The first step is the most important!**
Don’t skip this step or they will EXPLODE in your oven!**
- Carefully slice each one with a sharp serrated knife. I will repeat…
BE CAREFUL!
But YOU MUST SLICE EACH CHESTNUT so they don’t EXPLODE!
They roll so do not cut yourself.
I have seen people use garden gloves to protect their fingers.
Do what is comfortable for you but please BE CAREFUL!
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Slice each one deep enough so it goes into the meat.
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After each one is sliced put them in a pot of cold water and bring them up to a boil. Then immediately turn them down to a simmer and simmer them for 15 minutes.
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When done… place them on a sheet pan in a 425 degree oven.
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After 15 minutes take them out of the oven and cover them with a tea towel. They will look like this.
The tea towel keeps them slightly warm until your fingers can handle peeling them. Don’t peel too soon or you can burn your fingers.
Peel each one and Enjoy! They are delicious!
Thank you – I’m hoping to try this recipe.
Hope you can find Chestnuts in a store near you. And I hope you enjoy them! We do!
I hope so too – was just going to google Chestnuts in my area. Wishing I could find them myself – but now that it snowed here last night…I doubt it.
I heard Nat King Cole singing one of my favorite Christmas songs yesterday on SiriusXM, shall I belt it out for you? RM and I used to go to every year to NYC the beginning of December, there were always roasted chestnuts being sold on the streets and we loved them. There are very few chestnut trees because they were decimated years ago by a blight. But I can still enjoying looking at yours!
Happy Tuesday my friend!
I can hear you singing! And I love it!
I have had them on a street corner as well. Soooo good!
And another neighbor lost their Chestnut Tree due to blight. So we are hoping this Chestnut Tree does not get hit. We do have a small one growing in our yard but its going to be a while before it produces Chestnuts.
Thanks for the visit and keep on singing!
I have never had a chestnut or seen a chestnut tree! They look beautiful in your fall decor, and what a great tutorial on preparing them…I think I’ll just come to your house to try one!
Jenna
Come on over! They have a delicious and distinct flavor. Mmmmm!
Chestnut Trees were all over the Bavarian Alps… at least where we stayed. I know they roast them there too.
Thanks for enjoying the post today!
I’ve never eaten chestnuts before. I bet they’re delicious! They look so pretty sitting around the home, too.
They add a beautiful fall touch to an area in your home.
And Chestnuts have a distinct taste! We really enjoy them. Many street corners in NYC sale them roasted and warm at this time of year! So fun!
Thanks for stopping by!
You make them look so delicious! I’ve never had a roasted chestnut. Looks like I am missing out on something good!
They have a distinct flavor and texture. I like ’em!
Roasted chestnuts are yummy! Thank you for sharing! 😊
Blue Rock Horses Frederick County, Virginia bluerockhorses.com
I’m glad you have had them before Mitzy! Thanks for letting me know.
I wish I had remembered to bring some home when we left Maine!
I’m so sorry that you forgot.
Sweet Man picked up quite a few and kept them cool in a cooler when we drove across the nation to AZ. I roasted some here for friends. I have to say… they were a bit tastier when they were fresh, right from the yard.
I’ve never boiled them before I’ve roasted them. I just cute an X into them and then roast in the oven. They don’t usually peel easily. The thin brown paper inside shell sticks often. Boiling seems to be the trick to making them peel easier. I’m excited to try your recipe. Thanks! I’ve only ever picked them up from a tree once. There was a tree one time where the kids played soccer when they were younger.
Try it. And it’s bringing them up to a boil then simmering for 15 minutes. The water helps them steam a bit when in the oven roasting. And they open up a little easier because of the steam.
Hope it works for you!
so many wonderful tips here!! i didn’t realize how many options there were for chestnuts. I love the idea of using them as decor too! Thanks for sharing, Nancy 🙂
Thank you dear friend!
I think they make great decor items.
They do!
Very holiday like but something I will never experience… just leaves more room for gingerbread and other cookies 🙂
Allergies …I suspect.
The Holidays have so many wonderful yummies! Thank goodness!
I have never had roasted chestnuts. Your post makes me want to try 🙂
We enjoy them! Thanks for the visit!
Yum, Yum, Nancy 🙂 Have some for me.
I’m glad you have had them before!
When I was in New York (in 2008)
That was fascinating Nancy. Not only don’t we have chestnuts here but you don’t often see them in stories, other than specialty stores. I have to say after your description of having to slice each one and being ever so careful I think I’d leave it to the professionals. 🙂 But should i ever be in the business I shall not pop them directly in the oven!
I’m glad you will NOT just pop them in the oven.
Thanks for the visit! 😊
I have never tasted a chestnut! I bet your house smells so good when you roast them.
It does! 😊
When I was growing up (Iowa), we had this large old chestnut tree and your post just took me on a very pleasant journey down memory lane!! Thanks for sharing!
Well wasn’t that fun! My Mom use to do them in our Living Room Fireplace but never paid attention to how she did it.
Glad I got your Memory Banks fired up!