It’s probably fair to say you’ve never roasted a chestnut. In fact, it’s pretty doubtful that anyone you know has ever roasted a chestnut. Which is strange, because it was a big part of the winter holidays not all that long ago. There was even a song written about it by a little-known musician named Nat King Cole.
That’s the funny thing with food – trends sometimes seem to last forever, only to disappear suddenly. But with Christmas just around the corner, we thought we would help you bring this tradition back by teaching you how to cook chestnuts. Of course, traditionally you would roast them in an open fire, but with fire codes being what they are, we thought we’d give you a few alternatives, too.
How to Boil Chestnuts
If you’re looking to cook up a plate of chestnuts without too much work, boiling them might be just the thing. To start, bring a pot of water to a boil. Take two cups of chestnuts and cut an x-shaped slit into them – this will aid them in cooking quickly and evenly. Drop the nuts into the water and let them boil for about 5- minutes, until they’re completely soft. Remove from water, let sit to cool off, peel the skin off, and serve. For an extra-festive taste, try sprinkling them with some nutmeg or cinnamon. Or both.
How to Roast Chestnuts (in an oven)
The second best way to prepare chestnuts is to roast them in the oven. Roasting lets the chestnut aroma really fill your house with holiday spirit, and results in a richer and more flavorful finished dish. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. While the oven is heating up, cut an x-shaped slit in each chestnut. Place the chestnuts on a baking sheet, slit-side up, and sprinkle with a little bit of water.Roast the chestnuts for 15-20 minutes, moving them around frequently to prevent burning. You’ll know they’re done when they feel soft and the skin comes off easy. To remove the shells, take out the roasted chestnuts and place them into a towel. Then crush them (still in the towel) with your hands to break up the tough outer shell. Peel the skin all the way off while the nuts are still warm, and serve!
How to Roast Chestnuts (over an open fire)
Of course, any Christmas classics enthusiast knows that this is how you’re REALLY supposed to cook chestnuts. If you have the luxury of an open fire, whether in a fireplace or firepit, this is definitely the way to go. Clean the chestnuts and score the shells with an x as above. Once you have a nice, hot bed of coals, place the chestnuts into a cast-iron frying pan and set them down into the heat. Make sure you give the pan an occasional shake to prevent hot spots. After five minutes, take the pan out, flip the nuts, and let them roast for another 5 minutes. Take them out of the fire, let them cool off for a minute or two, and enjoy a snack that’s as classic as a white Christmas.
