Roasting chestnuts, known as Kastana in Greek, at home in your oven is easy. Follow the step by step instructions and you will have a delicious holiday treat to enjoy all season long.
How to buy Chestnuts:
- Look for a shiny unblemished exterior
- They should be firm and when pressed they should not make a clicking sound
- They should be free from wholes and mold
- They should feel heavy
When are chestnuts in season?
Chestnuts are in season from October till January. Here, in America, they usually hit the markets mid-November.
How long do they last?
Chestnuts do not stay fresh for long. It is best to keep them in the refrigerator, uncovered, for 2-3 days until ready to roast. Once they are roasted, peel them and allow them to cool. Keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
What do roasted Chestnuts taste like?
Chestnuts are slightly sweet and not as crunchy as other nuts. They are also low in fat and high in carbohydrates. Their mild flavor helps them pair well in both sweet and savory dishes. Chocolate and chestnuts make a wonderfully festive combination. In Greece, the roasted chestnuts are chopped up and added to stuffing recipes along with minced meat, dried fruit, and rice.
How to Roast Chestnuts:
- Cut a slit across the entire top (rounded) part of each chestnut. Use a sharp paring knife or a serrated knife. Cut through the shell and try not to cut the nut.
- Place the chestnuts in a bowl and pour boiling water over them to cover. Let them sit in the hot water for 10 minutes. This will help their shell release very easily after roasting.
- Preheat the oven to 425 °F, 220 °C.
- Drain the water from the chestnuts and dry them with a clean kitchen towel.
- Place the dried chestnuts on a baking tray and roast them on the center rack of the oven for 15-20 minutes or until their skin begins to peel back or separate.
- Remove the tray from the oven and allow them to cool for 8-10 minutes or until they are still warm and just cool enough to handle.
- Press them a little with your fingers and their shell should remove along with the skin easily.
- Allow the peeled chestnuts to cool completely and use them in your favorite recipes. They taste best the day that they are roasted.
How to Roast Chestnuts at Home in the Oven
The Holiday season is here, and chestnuts, known as Kastana in Greek, are finally available in the supermarkets. Hooray!! Roasting chestnuts at home in your oven is easy. Follow the step by step instructions and you will have a delicious holiday treat to enjoy all season long.
Ingredients
- Chestnuts
- baking pan
Instructions
Cut a slit across the entire top (rounded) part of each chestnut. Use a sharp paring knife or a serrated knife. Cut through the shell and try not to cut the nut.
Place the chestnuts in a bowl and pour boiling water over them to cover. Let them sit in the hot water for 10 minutes. This will help their shell release very easily after roasting.
Preheat the oven to 425 °F, 220 °C.
Drain the water from the chestnuts and dry them with a clean kitchen towel.
Place the dried chestnuts on a baking tray and roast them on the center rack of the oven for 15-20 minutes or until their skin begins to peel back or separate.
Remove the tray from the oven and allow them to cool for 8-10 minutes or until they are still warm and just cool enough to handle.
Press them a little with your fingers and their shell should remove along with the skin easily.
Allow the peeled chestnuts to cool completely and use them in your favorite recipes. They taste best the day that they are roasted.
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