How to Roast Chestnuts

Guide Note

Roasting chestnuts isn't just for open fires or Christmas anymore. It can be done in your oven or microwave at almost anytime of the year provided you have fresh chestnuts available.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Step 1: Selecting
• Step 2: Preparing
• Step 3: Roasting Chestnuts
  • Oven Roasting
  • Open Fire Roasting
  • Other Cooking Methods
• Step 4: Peeling and Serving
• Conclusion
• References

Roasting Chestnut Tips

1. Chestnuts are in season from October until March.
2. Choose chestnuts that are smooth, shiny and heavy.
3. Always score your chestnuts before cooking.
4. Roasting time can vary depending on the chestnuts.
5. Chestnuts are harder to peel once they have cooled.

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Introduction

• We've all heard the famous song at Christmas that sings, "Chestnuts roasting over an open fire." The Christmas Song, as it is titled, was written by Jazz musician Mel Tormé.¹ Many Americans had probably never heard of chestnuts before that song and forever connected them with the holidays. However, you don't need to limit your roasting to November and December. Chestnuts can be roasted almost any time between October and March when they are in season.²

• If you want to make your holiday more traditional this year, or if you just like reenacting songs, then its time that you learn the proper way to roast chestnuts. Unfortunately, you will have to find your own Jack Frost to nip at your nose. There are some things even Mahalo can't help you find.

• YouTube: Mel Torme "The Christmas Song" (Time: 2:59)

Step 1: Selecting Chestnuts

• For the best results, you want to look for Spanish chestnuts (also known as marroni or marron chestnuts).³ These are larger and meatier than other chestnuts.⁴ When selecting your chestnuts, you want to look for the following characteristics:
  1. Rich, glowing cinnamon-brown skin color.⁴
  2. Firm, smooth, shiny shells.⁵
  3. Heavy and plump feel.^{6 7}
  4. Free from blemishes.⁸

• Avoid chestnuts that exhibit any of the following:
  1. Have a mottled, dim or blotchy appearance.^{8 4}
  2. Smell moldy.⁴
  3. Have pin-holes in their skins.⁵
  4. Feel soft and light.⁶
  5. Have dull, wrinkled shells.⁶
  6. Rattle when you shake them.⁷

• You can store chestnuts in your refrigerator's vegetable drawer once you get them home. Store them in a closed paper bag or partially opened plastic bag.⁷

Step 2: Preparing Chestnuts

• No matter how you decide to cook them, chestnuts need to have their shells cut before they are roasted. If they aren't, steam pressure within the nut will cause them to explode. Here's how to prepare your chestnuts:

1. 

   (Creative Commons photo by jwalsh)
   Using a damp towel, wipe your chestnuts.⁹
2. Set your chestnuts flat-side down on a cutting board. You may want to place your chestnuts on a clean towel (on top of the cutting board).⁹ This will help keep the chestnuts from rolling away.¹⁰
3. Take a paring knife or a serrated knife with a short blade and cut a large "X" on one side of the shell.^{7 11} Another option is to simply poke a hole into the shell.¹²
4. Make sure you cut through the skin.⁷

• Caution: Some websites have suggested leaving one chestnut unprepared as a "test" that will tell you when the chestnuts are done by exploding.¹³ According to Chestnut Growers, Inc., chestnuts can explode rather violently.¹² It is much safer and smarter to use your oven timer.

Step 3: Roasting Chestnuts

• Now it is time to cook your nuts. While roasting chestnuts over an open fire may be the most romantic method, there are also more practical ways to cook your nuts. Choose the method that makes the most sense for you.

Roasting Chestnuts over an Open Fire

• If you want to roast your chestnuts over an open fire, then you will need more than just a fire. You also need a chestnut roasting pan.⁷ These are long-handled pans that have holes in them. If you plan on doing a lot of chestnut roasting, you may want to purchase one. You can find them at various stores online.¹⁴ You can also use a grill basket, a hand-held popcorn roaster or a skillet with holes drilled in the bottom.^{15 16}

1. Place your prepared chestnuts into the basket.
2. Keep them about five inches from the flames.¹⁶
3. Roast chestnuts for about 10 to 30 minutes.^{7 16}
4. Shake the pan occasionally.
5. Chestnuts are done when the skins have been blackened by the heat.¹⁵

Oven Roasting Chestnuts

• It may not be traditional, but since more people have ovens than fireplaces, roasting chestnuts in your oven is much more popular and practical.

1. 

   (Creative Commons photo by Scott Schopieray)
   Preheat your oven to 425°F with the rack in the middle.¹⁷
   • -Some suggest placing the rack as low as possible.¹¹
   • -Chestnut Growers, Inc. suggests using an oven set at 300°F but also advises people to experiment with both the oven temperature and the length of time roasting.¹²
2. Place prepared chestnuts cut side up on a baking sheet or shallow baking pan.¹⁸
3. Sprinkle generously with water.⁷
4. Roast for 15 to 30 minutes (time varies depending on the chestnut).⁸
5. Occasionally stir and sprinkle the chestnuts with water to prevent them from drying out.⁷
6. Chestnuts are done when they turn golden brown, the nutmeats are tender and the shells curl apart.¹⁰
7. Remove chestnuts from oven.

Other Cooking Methods

• There are other methods to cook chestnuts, although they wouldn't be characterized as "roasting." Here are a few suggestions on how to do it:
  • Stovetop: Add a single layer of chestnuts to a heated, heavy sauté pan. Sprinkle with water and cover. Place over medium-heat and shake pan often. Cook about 10 minutes.⁷
  • Microwave: Place prepared chestnuts on a microwave-save dish.¹⁹ Cook for 30 seconds on high.¹⁵
  • Microwave: Cut nuts in half and place cut side down on a paper plate. Set your microwave on roast (70 percent). Cook for two to three minutes. ¹²
  • Boiling: Prepare chestnuts as described above or by cutting them in half.¹² Boil for 10 to 15 minutes.¹⁵ You can cook them longer, but they will become mealier and crumble easier.^{19 12} Drain.
  • Steaming: Cut chestnuts in half and steam for 10 to 15 minutes.¹²

Step 4: Peeling and Serving Chestnuts

• Once you have roasted your chestnuts, you will need to peel them. The skins harden quickly and are very difficult to open once they have cooled.¹⁵ Here's some tips to help make peeling chestnuts a little easier:
  1. Peel the nuts as soon as you can handle them without burning yourself.⁹
  2. Before peeling, wrap the nuts in a kitchen towel and gently squeeze.¹⁷ This will help loosen the shells.
  3. Keep the nuts wrapped in the towel or cover the pan with foil to keep the chestnuts warm as you peel.⁵

• Once you are done, you can serve the nuts with salt and/or dip them in melted butter.^{10 12} Chestnuts are best served fresh and hot, since their flavor declines as they stand.⁷

Conclusion

• Now that you have roasted your chestnuts, you might want to check out Mahalo for more great Thanksgiving and Christmas recipes. You can find instructions on how to decorate cupcakes, build a gingerbread house, make pecan pie and much more.

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References for How to Roast Chestnuts

1. ↑ kellycrull.com: Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
2. ↑ Chow: Chestnut
3. ↑ Based in Bregaglia: Chestnut Season (November 14, 2008)
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} Culinary Cafe: Roast Chestnuts
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} delish.com: How to Roast Chestnuts
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} Quamut: Chestnuts: How to Buy Chestnuts
7. ↑ ^{7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10} The Christian Science Monitor: Set Some Chestnuts Roasting on Your Open Fire (December 14, 2005)  
8. ↑ ^{8.0 8.1 8.2} About.com: Chestnuts: Chestnuts: A Rare Treat, and Versatile Too
9. ↑ ^{9.0 9.1 9.2} StartCooking.com: How to Roast Chestnuts
10. ↑ ^{10.0 10.1 10.2} Missico.com: Roasting Chestnuts
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} Mediterranean Diet Aromas: How to Roast Chestnuts in your Oven
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 12.6 12.7} Chestnut Growers, Inc.: Information about Sweet Chestnuts
13. ↑ Recipezaar: Roast Chestnuts Recipe  
14. ↑ Google Product Search: "Chestnut Roaster"
15. ↑ ^{15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4} Fantes.com: Chestnuts - How to Roast Chestnuts
16. ↑ ^{16.0 16.1 16.2} Life123: Roasting Chestnuts: Full Story
17. ↑ ^{17.0 17.1} Epicurious.com: Roasted Chestnuts Recipe
18. ↑ Closet Cooking: How to Roast Chestnuts
19. ↑ ^{19.0 19.1} Life123: Roasting Chestnuts: Full Story, p.2