How to Roast Chestnuts by an Open Fire

When Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, there's nothing to be done but gather around the hearth and roast chestnuts in your cozy living room.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Firewood
• Chestnuts
• Salt
• Frying Pan With Lid
• Oven Mitts
• Paring Knives
• Oven mitts

1. Choose a utensil that has a long handle such as a frying pan.

2. Clean dirt off of chestnuts.

3. Cut an X into the shell of each chestnut with a paring knife to avoid a buildup of steam inside the nuts.

4. Place chestnuts in pan and cover.

5. Roast over the coals of an open hearth for 15 to 25 minutes or until the chestnuts are tender and the shells are beginning to open.

6. Peel chestnuts when they are cool enough to handle and serve with salt if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Use dry, firm chestnuts, because soft chestnuts may be rotted.

• Don't use a nonstick pan; these can't tolerate direct heat.

• Be sure to remove the inner skins from the chestnuts as well as the shells.

• Chestnuts that have not been cut or pricked to allow steam to escape may explode even after being removed from the heat.