Step by Step How to Roast Chestnuts

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. That's what I have to go off of here. I have never eaten a chestnut before, never smelled a roasting chestnut. I have lived a chestnut-less existence. So for you other winter chestnut beginners, here's a step by step how to on roasting and enjoying these little nuggets. 

For this Recipe Redux challenge, we were asked to whip up a 'lucky food' for the New Year. I need to say right now, I am not ready to start talking about New Year's at all. Christmas first, then we'll talk. But for the purpose of this project, I picked chestnuts because they fit one of the basic parameters of a lucky food: it's round!  Just go with it. I also consider this a lucky food because it's something new: Isn't that what the new year is about? Cracking the tough nuts in your life and trying something new?

These were far easier to pull off than I thought they would be. Before starting I did my research and checked out multiple recipes before making little tweaks. Try them! They're a great project for Christmas as well!

How to Roast Chestnuts: Sage and Rosemary 

makes 1 pound

/// Ingredients ///

• 1 pound chestnuts 
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 3 sage leaves
• 5, 1/2 inch sprigs of rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (add more after they come out of the oven and you test them)

/// Directions /// Cut an 'x' on the rounded surface of the chestnuts with the flat side down on the cutting board. Soak the chestnuts in a bowl of water for 1 minute. Drain and pat dry. Place on a baking sheet with aluminum foil in a single layer. Add butter, salt and herbs. Gather the foil up and around the nuts (so they remain in a single layer). Bake at 425 F for 40 minutes. The outer skin will open and curl once ready. Cool slightly before you burn your fingers! Remove dark brown outer shell to expose white flesh. Add more seasoning if desired.

Chestnuts are very starchy. They actually taste  similar to a potato! They give off an amazing deep nutty aroma while roasting but are not like nuts at all when you eat them. The herbs help round out the flavors. I'd make them again for a winter party! 

Healthfully Ever After is taking a holiday to relax and recharge until the end of the Christmas week. I won't lie. It's hard for me to shut off completely, so follow along on Instagram if you so desire!