How to Roast Chestnuts

How to easily roast warm, yummy, chestnuts

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Chestnuts
• a pan
• knife
• oven

1. 

   Buy some chestnuts from your grocery store or local produce market, etc. I know on the east coast they are seasonal, and I can only find them between November and February. I do not know how it works in other parts of the country.

2. Set Oven for 325-350 degrees
   
   Select a pan or sheet pan
   
   Foil line if desired, but there is no need to grease the pan

3. 
   cut small slit in each chestnut

   Take a sharp knife and CAREFULLY put a small slit in the center of each chestnut near where it comes to a point in the middle. This will allow air to escape so the chestnuts do not pop while cooking, and makes them easier to get open when they are done.

4. Cook for at least half an hour, then start checking them. Remove one from the oven with tongs or a mitt, etc.
   
   Once it is cool enough to handle with bare hands, then crack it open. Peel away hard outer shell and any inner lining that might stick to the "meat". The inner lining is brown an furry. It is not harmful that I know of, but it does not taste good.
   
   Try the chestnut. This is similar to checking pasta or vegetables, you want a soft texture that is neither crunchy, nor hard but opinions will vary.
   
   These will get super hard or burn if over cooked. If they are not done on first check, check about every 10 minutes or so.

5. 
   fresh roasted chestnut

   Once they are done to your liking, simply enjoy as is, or add to stuffing and other recipes.

6. 
   bad moldy chestnut on left,,, good chestnut on right

   Eating tips... Not everyone likes chestnuts. If you try it and like it obviously you will know it, if you say ah, that is ok, but not for me, that is ok too. If you try one and think Oh my , that is gross! Then you probably got a bad one. Either try another chestnut or another store.
   
   Bad ones are usually obviously mold or black inside. Good ones should be a golden yellowish or beige color and have a mild nutty flavor.

Tips & Warnings

• If you get too many bad ones in a bunch, say a 3rd or more of the batch you bought, I would take them back to the place of purchase
• You can microwave these instead, but you will get a nuttier roasted flavor from the oven.
• microwaving already roasted nuts can warm them up nicely later on for eating though
• If they look or smell bad, they are bad, DON'T EAT THEM
• Don't let one bad batch of chestnuts turn you away from them forever

[jenrenee]

on 11/30/2008 Now I now how to roast chestnuts..Thanks!!! Great article!

[Pamelateda]

on 11/29/2008 I always wondered how to do that. You always hear about roasting chestnuts in songs and things. Thanks!