Roasting Chestnuts

Roasting chestnuts is almost a Thanksgiving and Christmas tradition. But do not wait for a holiday to enjoy these delicious nuts. As long as there are fresh chestnuts available, you can roast and enjoy them. Some people like to sprinkle the peeled nuts with salt or dip them in melted butter.

However you like them, they are best eaten hot. There are several ways of roasting chestnuts; one may do so in the oven, over an open fire, or in the microwave. You can pick a method of roasting chestnuts based on the time and effort you wish to spend in doing so. It is important to remember to peel the roasted chestnuts while they are still warm, because it becomes very difficult to do so once they cool.

Here are some instructions for roasting chestnuts at home.

Check out these roasting chestmut tips:

1. Partially slice shell before roasting
2. Presoaking before roasting makes them easier to peel
3. Should be shaken during roasting to ensure even cooking
4. Let them cool before attempting to peel and eat
5. If the inner skins do not come off easily, the chestnut is either undercooked or overcooked
6. An overcooked chestnut is dried out and hard
7. Hot chestnuts peel easier than cold ones

1. Roasted in a hot oven, or broiled in the broiler
2. Can be cooked in microwave if adding to a dish
3. Cooked over an open fire in a metal roaster or grill basket
4. Can be cooked on a stove top in a chestnut pan
5. Can be boiled, then peeled, then boiled again until cooked

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Place a chestnut on a "deep" dish towel that is lying flat on a cutting board or countertop. This will allow the chestnut to "sink" into the dish towel and keeps it from rolling while you make the cuts in the next step.
3. Use a sharp knife to cut an X into one side of the chestnut to allow the steam caused by roasting to escape, otherwise, the chestnut will explode.
4. Place each chestnut with the cuts facing up onto the cookie sheet.
5. Roast 20 to 30 minutes or until chestnuts are tender, easy to peel, golden brown in color, and the shells are beginning to open.
6. Peel nuts when they are cool enough to handle, and serve with salt if desired.

To roast chestnuts in the microwave, just follow these steps:

1. Rinse and score the shells.
2. Set your microwave on 100% power, place them on a plate and nuke them for about 1 minute or until tender.
3. The exact time may vary from microwave to microwave and depending on how many nuts you are cooking.
4. Slightly cool and enjoy.