Recipe for the Best Roasted Chestnuts at Home
Fragrant roasted chestnuts have once again arrived on our tables! As the season of this autumn delicacy reaches its peak, we’ve prepared a simple guide to help you roast them perfectly in your own oven.
If, just like us, you love roasted chestnuts, you’ll be happy to hear that the process is really simple and doesn’t require any special cooking skills. All you need are quality chestnuts, a knife, a baking tray, and an oven, writes Kuvar.
How to Choose Chestnuts?
First of all, it’s important to pick the best fruits. When buying, pay attention to the appearance of the shell. Chestnuts should be smooth and firm, with a shiny brown color. Choose chestnuts that are heavy and don’t have empty space between the shell and the flesh. The best ones are larger and meatier. Avoid wrinkled chestnuts and those with holes – this is a sign of worms. Also avoid chestnuts packed in sealed plastic bags. Chestnuts stored in airtight packaging can quickly get moldy, so it’s always a good idea to look for those sold in mesh or paper bags, or at least in plastic bags with ventilation holes.
How to Store Chestnuts?
Make sure to cook chestnuts soon after purchasing because they spoil quickly. Cooked chestnuts are best eaten right away, but if needed, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until the next day. Then reheat them in a saucepan over medium-low heat and add a little butter so they don’t dry out too much. Keep in mind that you can also freeze cooked and peeled chestnuts.
How to Prepare Chestnuts for Roasting?
Good preparation is the key to success. First, wash the chestnuts. Once clean, dry them and place them on a cutting board. You need to make an incision in the shell of each chestnut to allow steam to escape during cooking or roasting. With a very sharp knife or even a scalpel, make a 3 mm deep cut on the lower, thicker side of the chestnut. It can be in the shape of a cross or a larger semicircle. If you want to simplify the preparation, you can make one long line along the entire chestnut with a serrated bread knife.
Is this step really necessary? Just like with baked potatoes, if you don’t make a steam hole, the chestnut will explode. In addition, making a large enough cut makes peeling much easier.
How to Roast Chestnuts in the Oven?
Roasting chestnuts in the oven is quite simple:
Once prepared, place the chestnuts on a baking tray, sprinkle with water, and roast for about 20 minutes at 200 °C.
They’re ready when they open up and the irresistible smell of autumn fills your kitchen.
Larger chestnuts will need 20–25 minutes to roast, while smaller ones only 10 to 15 minutes.
If you notice the chestnuts are still undercooked after removing them from the oven, simply return them for a few more minutes, but be careful not to overbake them.
If the chestnuts turn completely black, you’ve most likely overcooked them. The best way is to check them every few minutes to see how they’re doing. Finally, peel the chestnuts while they’re still warm and enjoy!
Needless to say, the best way to enjoy fragrant roasted chestnuts is in good company, with your favorite book or movie. Bon appétit!
