Chestnuts Chestnuts Roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Growing up with the words from the Nat King Cole Song, “the Christmas song "still brings warming memories of the season. I have been fortunate enough to camp and partake in roasting chestnuts on an open fire, peeling and eating them. What a treat this is. We will show you how to prepare the fresh chestnuts to eat or prepare in your favorite recipes

Chestnuts ripening on the tree These porcupine looking creatures ripening on the tree, once harvested, yield a classic Chestnut for recipes

Chestnuts From Tree To Table

This is the nut in shell coming out of the pod

Preparing Chestnuts 3. This is a Chestnut with a X, mark for roasting 1. Washed Cleaned Husked Chestnuts 2. Mark Chestnuts with X, to pierce shell

4. Chestnuts prepared for roasting 5. Roast at 350 for 45 to 75 minutes 6. Remove nut from shells

Roasted Chestnut Recipes 7. Prepared Chestnuts Chestnut Stuffing Chestnut Soup 1 lb. of cubed bread, toast in oven at 250 for 15 – 20 minutes until dry and toasty 2 stalks celery, peeled cut, small dice, see knife cuts 1 small onion, peeled cut, small dice, see knife cuts 2 tsp. poultry seasoning 1 stick butter, salted or unsalted Salt and pepper to taste 1 cup chicken stock In skillet melt butter and sautee onions and celery until tender Add toasted bread cubes, toss together Add slowly chicken stock until desired consistency. (some like “flaky” stuffing utilizing less stock, some like it more densely moist., go with your preference) Bake in casserole dish at 350 for 30 – 40 minutes 4 oz. Bacon, cooked, dice reserve fat 2 T. Shallot, mince, or 1 small onion 2 Carrot, diced small 2 Ribs Celery 1 Quart Chicken stock ½ cup Heavy Cream 1 Bay Leaf ½ tsp. Thyme or 1 sprig fresh Grated Nutmeg to taste Salt and Pepper to taste 1 ½ lbs Whole prepared shelled chestnuts 3 oz. flour In stock pot sautee, shallot, carrot, celery in bacon fat. Add chestnuts, toast in pan, add flour. Cook until flour is toasted. Add Stock, simmer for 30 minutes. Blend to smooth. Return to stove add cream, and spices. Simmer for 30 minutes. Adjust Seasononings and serve