How to Roast Chestnuts

Roasting chestnuts isn't just for open fires or Christmas anymore. It can be done at almost anytime of the year provided you have fresh chestnuts available. Roasted chestnuts are a tasty snack, and are also used as ingredients in recipes such as chestnut stuffing. Chestnuts can be roasted over an open fire, in the oven, and even by boiling, steaming, and microwaving them.

For the best results, you want to look for Spanish chestnuts (also known as marroni or marron chestnuts).Based in Bregaglia: Chestnut Season (November 14, 2008) These are larger and meatier than other chestnuts.Culinary Cafe: Roast Chestnuts When selecting your chestnuts, you want to look for the following characteristics:

1. Rich, glowing cinnamon-brown skin color.Culinary Cafe: Roast Chestnuts
2. Firm, smooth, shiny shells.delish.com: How to Roast Chestnuts
3. Heavy and plump feel.Quamut: Chestnuts: How to Buy Chestnuts The Christian Science Monitor: Set Some Chestnuts Roasting on Your Open Fire (December 14, 2005)
4. Free from blemishes.About.com: Chestnuts: Chestnuts: A Rare Treat, and Versatile Too

Avoid chestnuts that exhibit any of the following:

1. Have a mottled, dim or blotchy appearance.About.com: Chestnuts: Chestnuts: A Rare Treat, and Versatile Too Culinary Cafe: Roast Chestnuts
2. Smell moldy.Culinary Cafe: Roast Chestnuts
3. Have pin-holes in their skins.delish.com: How to Roast Chestnuts
4. Feel soft and light.Quamut: Chestnuts: How to Buy Chestnuts
5. Have dull, wrinkled shells.Quamut: Chestnuts: How to Buy Chestnuts
6. Rattle when you shake them.The Christian Science Monitor: Set Some Chestnuts Roasting on Your Open Fire

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.The Christian Science Monitor: Set Some Chestnuts Roasting on Your Open Fire

• 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. Using a damp towel, wipe your chestnuts.StartCooking.com: How to Roast Chestnuts
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).StartCooking.com: How to Roast Chestnuts This will help keep the chestnuts from rolling away.Missico.com: Roasting Chestnuts
3. Take a paring knife or a serrated knife with a short blade and cut a large "X" on one side of the shell.The Christian Science Monitor: Set Some Chestnuts Roasting on Your Open Fire Mediterranean Diet Aromas: How to Roast Chestnuts in your Oven Another option is to simply poke a hole into the shell.Chestnut Growers, Inc.: Information about Sweet Chestnuts
4. Make sure you cut through the skin.The Christian Science Monitor: Set Some Chestnuts Roasting on Your Open Fire

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

• 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.

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.The Christian Science Monitor: Set Some Chestnuts Roasting on Your Open Fire 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.Google Product Search: "Chestnut Roaster" You can also use a grill basket, a hand-held popcorn roaster or a skillet with holes drilled in the bottom.Fantes.com: Chestnuts - How to Roast Chestnuts Life123: Roasting Chestnuts: Full Story

1. Place your prepared chestnuts into the basket.
2. Keep them about five inches from the flames.Life123: Roasting Chestnuts: Full Story
3. Roast chestnuts for about 10 to 30 minutes.The Christian Science Monitor: Set Some Chestnuts Roasting on Your Open Fire Life123: Roasting Chestnuts: Full Story
4. Shake the pan occasionally.
5. Chestnuts are done when the skins have been blackened by the heat.Fantes.com: Chestnuts - How to Roast 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. Preheat your oven to 425°F with the rack in the middle.Epicurious.com: Roasted Chestnuts Recipe
   • -Some suggest placing the rack as low as possible.Mediterranean Diet Aromas: How to Roast Chestnuts in your Oven
   • -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.Chestnut Growers, Inc.: Information about Sweet Chestnuts
2. Place prepared chestnuts cut side up on a baking sheet or shallow baking pan.Closet Cooking: How to Roast Chestnuts
3. Sprinkle generously with water.The Christian Science Monitor: Set Some Chestnuts Roasting on Your Open Fire
4. Roast for 15 to 30 minutes (time varies depending on the chestnut).About.com: Chestnuts: Chestnuts: A Rare Treat, and Versatile Too
5. Occasionally stir and sprinkle the chestnuts with water to prevent them from drying out.The Christian Science Monitor: Set Some Chestnuts Roasting on Your Open Fire
6. Chestnuts are done when they turn golden brown, the nutmeats are tender and the shells curl apart.Missico.com: Roasting Chestnuts
7. Remove chestnuts from oven.

• 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.The Christian Science Monitor: Set Some Chestnuts Roasting on Your Open Fire

Microwave: Place prepared chestnuts on a microwave-save dish.Life123: Roasting Chestnuts: Full Story, p.2 Cook for 30 seconds on high.Fantes.com: Chestnuts - How to Roast Chestnuts

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. Chestnut Growers, Inc.: Information about Sweet Chestnuts

Boiling: Prepare chestnuts as described above or by cutting them in half.Chestnut Growers, Inc.: Information about Sweet Chestnuts Boil for 10 to 15 minutes.Fantes.com: Chestnuts - How to Roast Chestnuts You can cook them longer, but they will become mealier and crumble easier.Life123: Roasting Chestnuts: Full Story, p.2 Chestnut Growers, Inc.: Information about Sweet Chestnuts Drain.

Steaming: Cut chestnuts in half and steam for 10 to 15 minutes.Chestnut Growers, Inc.: Information about Sweet 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.Fantes.com: Chestnuts - How to Roast Chestnuts 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.StartCooking.com: How to Roast Chestnuts
2. Before peeling, wrap the nuts in a kitchen towel and gently squeeze.Epicurious.com: Roasted Chestnuts Recipe 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.delish.com: How to Roast Chestnuts

Once you are done, you can serve the nuts with salt and/or dip them in melted butter.Missico.com: Roasting Chestnuts Chestnut Growers, Inc.: Information about Sweet Chestnuts Chestnuts are best served fresh and hot, since their flavor declines as they stand.The Christian Science Monitor: Set Some Chestnuts Roasting on Your Open Fire

• 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.