Roasting chestnuts on the BBQ

With fall in full swing, it's the perfect time to head into the woods and collect chestnuts. I count myself lucky to have chestnut trees in my garden, so there's no need for me to go far. There are endless ways to prepare chestnuts, and they're great in a variety of dishes. Roasting them is a breeze, and I especially love doing it on the barbecue!

Chestnuts are healthy

Chestnuts are not only delicious, but they're also good for our health. The fruit contains lots of minerals, such as copper, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and iron. They play a big part in your body's metabolism. Also, chestnuts are a good source of vitamin C and B vitamins. Eating chestnuts is good for your heart and blood vessels because they have a lot of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Chestnuts are high in fiber, which keeps you full and helps with constipation.

Will chestnuts make you fat ?

It's a common myth that chestnuts make you fat. In fact, 84% of chestnuts are complex carbohydrates, which give you lots of energy. They're low in fat, so you don't gain weight from eating them. Plus, they make you feel full longer, reducing your appetite. They've got the lowest calorie count of any nuts and have a glycemic index lower than white and whole wheat flour.

How many chestnuts can you eat a day?

According to the general guideline, you can eat 40 g of peeled chestnuts per day. This is equivalent to 5 to 6 medium-sized fruits. It's probably best not to eat more than that because, like legumes, chestnuts have a high fiber content and can sometimes cause bloating.

Picking chestnuts: a few guidelines

If you're heading into the woods to collect chestnuts, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

When you're gathering chestnuts, look for the biggest and shiniest ones. They should be firm and not loose in the skin. If they rattle when you shake them, they're probably not good to eat. It's best to pick only undamaged chestnuts without any cracks or holes. Holes mean there might be worms inside, so those chestnuts should be thrown away. You can also soak the chestnuts in water at 50°C for 20 minutes to be sure there are no live larvae or eggs left.

Cooking chestnuts

Chestnuts can be enjoyed raw or cooked in a number of ways. You can boil them in water, roast them in the oven, over a fire, or on a barbecue. Roasting brings out their full and sweet flavor. In Italy, where chestnuts are a staple, they're often roasted in a perforated pan over a gas flame. The holes in the pan allow the flames to touch the chestnuts.

It's best to enjoy roasted chestnuts fresh and warm. If you want to use chestnuts in other dishes, it's a good idea to boil them in water first and then peel them right away.

Notching chestnuts

Before roasting chestnuts, it is important to notch them first. This ensures that the chestnuts do not burst due to the accumulation of steam during the cooking process. Just make a cross-shaped cut with the tip of a small paring-knife on the rounded side of the chestnut.

Dishes featuring chestnuts

Chestnuts have a subtle earthy flavor that pairs well with other seasonal flavors like game, mushrooms, squash, winter vegetables, apples, and pears. Roasted chestnuts are a tasty snack any time of day, but you can also use chestnuts in savory and sweet dishes. Here are a few ideas:

Try incorporating cooked chestnuts into your stuffing for turkey or quail—it's a delicious twist.
Fry cooked chestnuts in a pan with butter and season with salt and pepper. Serve this tasty side dish with game, poultry, or lamb for a festive meal.
Try braising chestnuts in butter, white wine, and broth until they're perfectly tender. Then, simply puree them and serve with pork roast.
Chestnut flour is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of delicious baked goods, including cakes, breads, and cookies.
Sprinkle cooked chestnuts with cane sugar and caramelize them in butter. Next, flambé them with brandy.
Chestnuts are a delicious addition to a stew of lentils or chickpeas.
Try making delicious ravioli with pumpkin and chestnuts.
Give your winter minestrone a seasonal touch by adding chestnuts.
Why not add chestnuts to your autumn salad with poached pears and blue cheese?
I've found that chestnuts go really well with Brussels sprouts. Sauté them together in olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.
Chestnuts and Brussels sprouts are a great combo. Sauté them together in olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

How long can you keep chestnuts?

Storing chestnuts is a breeze if you follow a few simple tips! For optimal freshness, keep them loose in a bowl and stored in your refrigerator for up to one month at room temperature or place them in the freezer for up to six months.

Roasted chestnuts are best enjoyed right away, but if you cook them in water, you can keep them in the refrigerator for up to a week. And if you want to make them last up to a month, vacuum pack them first. And don’t forget, cooked chestnuts can also be frozen.

Recipe: roasting chestnuts on the barbecue

To roast chestnuts on the barbecue, you will need a perforated roasting pan.

Ingredients:

½ kilogram of raw chestnuts

Preparation

Heat up the barbecue to 175°C.

With a small paring knife make two cuts in the shape of a cross in the skin of the chestnuts, on the convex side. Place them in a single layer in the baking dish.

Put the chestnuts on the grill and close the lid. Roast the chestnuts for 20 minutes.

Take the chestnuts off the grill and wrap them in a towel. Fold the towel together and squeeze the chestnuts. You should them crack. When they're cooled down a bit, you can peel and enjoy the chestnuts.

If you love chestnuts as much as I do, you've got to try my amazing pumpkin risotto with chestnuts recipe. It's a truly delightful dish!

Pumpkin risotto with taleggio, pear and chestnuts

Roasting chestnuts on the BBQ

Preparation