December 14#: Roast Chestnuts Day

3 min read

3 years ago Robin

On chilly evenings, the streets come alive with a warm, toasty aroma of roast chestnuts!
In the chill of December, there’s one warming treat that is especially popular across the world, often seen this time of year being cooked by street vendors, and its earthy, spicy scent is more than enough to get anyone into the Christmas spirit.
This day, December 14th, it’s time to honor the humble chestnut or, more specifically, mark the time-honored tradition of roasting chestnuts round about the holiday season.

Roast Chestnut’s day is a relatively new day in the calendar, but the practice of roasting chestnuts has been around for years.
Although it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when they started to become so popular, historians guess the 16th century was a turning point, when they would be sold by street vendors to anyone wanting a quick and warming snack.
When chestnuts are carefully roasted, the natural sweetness of the nut is revealed.
This makes them an ideal quite nutritious snack, comparatively low in calories and with a good source of fiber. They are also very rich in vitamin C, which may come as a surprise to you!
Chestnuts are often roasted on a grill, which helps to remove their bitter, shiny skins, but you can make them at home using your conventional kitchen oven. All you need to do is cut a cross into each nut, put them on a roasting tin and bake them until the skins open. Then they are eaten after peeling away that skin.

It’s so, so easy to make roast chestnuts, so why not roast up a batch for yourself on the 14th December?
Have them as a snack on their own, add them to stuffing or pair them with roasted beef.
You can also use roasted chestnuts to make a delicious soup that will warm you up on a cold day. Saute vegetables like onions and garlic in butter, then add stock and roasted chestnuts. Simmer until the ingredients are tender and enjoy!
And why not candied chestnuts?
Mix together sugar, water, vanilla extract and salt in a saucepan until boiling. Add roasted chestnuts and simmer until the liquid is thick and syrupy. Cool on wax paper for about 30 minutes before serving.
Either way, you’ll be able to find them in most supermarkets during the festive season, so you won’t have to go foraging for them in the woods!