5 days Ago By Emily Wright
Chestnuts have been a staple food for many cultures, especially in Europe , for centuries during the winter months. They are a crucial source of nutrition as well as a symbol of warmth and comfort during the colder season. The tradition of roasting chestnuts over an open fire dates back to Victorian times and very much symbolises the arrival of Christmas .
Harvested in the autumn and winter, street vendors in many cities will sell roasted chestnuts - filling the air with their indulgent scent. It is not surprising, therefore, that many people love to recreate the iconic Christmas dish at home - but few know how to produce that perfect serving. The first step - the process of selecting our chestnuts - is incredibly important.
The nutmeat of chestnuts is much softer and moister than most other nuts. This makes them far more susceptible to mould and mildew. As such, you need to be very careful when picking out your batch.
On this occasion, it will really pay off to be that obnoxious shopper that takes the time to pull out one nut at a time and scrutinise it. There are several key things to look for to find that perfect nut. Firstly, check the bottom of the shell.
If you see any trace of green mould, toss that back as it is definitely also mouldy inside. Next, look at the tip - if the pointy part of the nut is starting to look pale or fuzzy, also avoid these. This is a sign that mildew might be growing inside.
A healthy and delicious chestnut will be firm and shiny, with no sign of fuzz. Now you have your perfect selection of chestnuts, you can go about prepping them for roasting. This includes cutting open the shells to avoid them exploding and boiling them for around 15 minutes.
After that, drain the water and lay them on a baking tray, cut-side up. Then bake them at around 218C (425F) for between 12 and 15 minutes..
