How To Roast Chestnuts | Healthy Kitchen Hacks

ByDeanna Segrave-Daly
19 Comments

Here's how to roast chestnuts with an oven instead of an open fire.

How To Roast Chestnuts | Teaspoonofspice.com

UPDATE: I've always cut an "X" into my chestnuts but recently tried out cutting with a line and it works just as well!
EQUIPMENT NEEDED (affiliate links):
Sharp paring knife: Amazon #1 Best Seller Victorinox 4-inch Swiss Paring Knife or splurge on this Zenware Bushido Series Japanese Paring Knife
Baking sheet: Nordicware Baker's Half Sheet Pan

HOW TO ROAST CHESTNUTS:

If your only exposure to chestnuts is via The Christmas Song (which has been on repeat in my head since working on this post), then you are in for treat.

Learn how easy it is to roast chestnuts at home in your oven (vs. an open fire) Teasponoofspice.com

Meaty, sweet and slightly nutty, roasted chestnuts have a unique taste all of their own and roasting chestnuts is simple - all you need is a knife, tray and an oven (or if you prefer, an open fire.)

Roasted chestnuts were a part of every Italian-American Christmas dinner during my childhood. While she's been gone for several years, I can still picture my godmother and Great-Aunt Jerri sitting and cutting the slits into the chestnuts with her perfectly manicured hands (she was a beautician entrepreneur and anyone who knows me well has heard my Aunt Jerri stories. I'll have to think of some that are PG enough to share on the blog someday.....)

[bctt tweet="How to Roast Chestnuts in an oven (instead of an open fire) via @tspbasil"]

Nowadays, we have roasted chestnuts each year at our Christmas Eve 7 Fish dinner at my sister's house and I love that we are keeping the tradition ongoing (<---I think this is the year I'll get my 8 year old to actually try them.)

Chestnut Fun Facts:
Chesnuts are native to North American, Europe, Japan and China.

Chestnuts trees were once abundant in America until a fungus wiped out almost the entire species in the early 1900s. (Ok, maybe not really a "fun" fact.)

In Italy, chestnut flour is often used in baked goods, polenta and soups.

You can also eat chestnuts raw, boiled or steamed.

Chestnuts are lower in calories compared to other nuts as they have less fat - a handful (about 1.5 ounces) is around 100 calories and they provide many nutrients including fiber, Vitamin C, potassium, folate and magnesium.

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How To Roast Chestnuts

5 from 1 review

  • Author: Deanna Segrave-Daly, RD
  • Yield: 8 - 10 servings. 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Here's how to roast chestnuts with an oven instead of an open fire.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound chestnuts

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. With a sharp paring knife, carefully cut an "X" or a long line into the round side of the chestnut halfway through the meat.
  3. Place chestnuts cut side up on a sheet with a lip. Roast for 15 -18 minutes or until skins start to peel away and chestnuts appear golden.
  4. Let cool for about 5 minutes and then peel. Note: chestnuts will still be fairly warm to the touch but you don't want them to cool too much or peeling them will become more difficult.
  5. Use the chestnut meats in salads, rice dishes, baked goods, stuffings or soups.

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us @tsp_basil @tspcurry — we can't wait to see what you've made!

Besides enjoying right out of the oven, chestnuts are delicious in soups, stuffings, rice dishes, sauces and salads. Here are a few recipes to get you inspired:

Roasted chestnuts are delicious in soups like this cauliflower and pear soup. @tspcurry

Cauliflower & Pear Soup with Roasted Chestnuts - Serena

Good Mood Food: Chestnut Soup - Rachael @Avocado A Day Nutrition

Chestnut Stuffing with Kale and Turkey Bacon - Marisa @ Uproot From Oregon

Roasted Chestnut, Cranberry and Mushroom Stuffing - Vicki @ Simple Cravings. Real Food.

Mushroom Chestnut Pie - Becca @Amuse Your Bouche

Eggnong Smoothie Bowl | CapeFearNutrition.com

Eggnog Smoothie Bowl - Diane @Cape Fear Nutrition

Chestnut Spiced Latte - Ricki @Ricki Heller

Whole Grain Chestnut Bread - Serena @Foodfulife

Honey Vanilla Chestnut Spread - Gina @Running to the Kitchen

Here's how to roast chestnuts in an oven (instead of on an open fire.) @tspbasil

Have you ever eaten roasted chestnuts or have you ever used chestnuts recipes?

Here's how to roast chestnuts with an oven instead of an open fire. This Healthy Kitchen Hack and more at Teaspoonofspice.com

More Healthy Kitchen Hacks

19 Comments

  1. Yum! Ever since I "discovered" chestnuts (ie, pre-roasted!), I've been on a huge kick to try out every recipe I can with them. These look phenomenal! I must give Cauliflower Pear Soup with Chestnuts a try. Thanks so much for including my Chestnut Spice Latte in your roundup. Have a happy holiday season1

    1. Sure thing and I can't wait to try our your latte - happy holidays to you too Ricki 🙂

  2. I have never roasted or cooked with chestnuts, but I think that is about to change with your great ideas. Roasting couldn't be easier and I don't even need an open fire! 🙂

  3. This is so cool! Come to think of it I don't think I've ever had a chestnut, it's time to change that this holiday season I'm definitely adding it to my bucket list!

    1. Ha - love that you have a "holiday food bucket list" - and it's such an easy thing to make and check off of that list! Definitely lmk if you try them 🙂

  4. I just started cooking with chestnuts this year and I have to say, I'm a huge fan!

  5. I don't think I have ever had a chestnut! I'm so impressed with all these recipes using them though! I must try!

  6. My in-laws do a Christmas Eve 7 fish dinner too! It's a fun tradition. I've never had a chestnut though, so I think that will have to be added to this year's festivities 🙂

  7. I absolutely ADORE chestnuts!! It conjures up memories from my childhood in Korea. Come Christmas time, it used to be (not sure if it still is) one of the most popular street foods. The vendors will have a huge roaster, and boy how I miss that glorious, comforting smell. Come to think of it, I really haven't eaten chestnuts in the last several years. Thank you for the gentle nudge to go out and get me some!

  8. Thanks for including my recipe. It's the first time I roasted chestnuts, but it won't be the last. These recipes all look so good!

  9. Just watched your periscope on roasteing chestnuts, it was great! I had Roasted chestnuts years ago from a street vendor in NYC. Enjoyed them! I will be heading to Trader Joes to have pick so up later today! Thanks!

    1. Thanks for watching, Sally, and I hope they have them down there in Texas for you - you are in for a treat!

  11. Hah, I have never even thought of this before. Thanks a lot <3 I will definitely apply your way to do it 😛


  12. I totally ADORE chestnuts!! It invokes recollections from my youth in Korea. Come Christmas time, it used to be (not certain on the off chance that regardless it is) a standout amongst the most prevalent road sustenances. The sellers will have an enormous roaster, and kid how I miss that great, soothing smell. Then again, I truly haven't eaten chestnuts over the most recent quite a long while. Much obliged to you for the delicate push to go out and get me a few!

    1. I love this memory! In New York around the holidays they have roasted chestnuts on the streets - the best aroma 🙂

  13. Jan 10, 2019- I've been in love with chestnuts most of my life. My great Aunty used to roast them in the oven for me and my sister when I was young and serve them with cinnamon roasted pumpkin or free-range roasted chicken where she made a stuffing made from chestnuts, caramelised onions and pear. I also love to cook t

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