Chestnuts Roasting In An Open Fire...

[Less]

Well unfortunately I haven't been experiencing that, though for the past two days I've been doing a few each day in the oven.

How the memories flood back with the flavour, not just the open fire, but also the guy that used to sell them fresh from his outdoor oven he would serve them up in small paper bags, that was the treat from your Mum, buying you a bag after she had traipsed you through the Market for what seemed like hours while she stopped and talked for hours to the Market stall holders and of course before she could get to the next stall she would be talking to what seemed like a hundred neighbours, then she would have the cheek to clout you around the ear for dawdling!

But the chestnuts made up for all of that.

[flashy]

i've never had them, i wonder if they would taste the same done on a disposable bbq?

[DaveinGermany]

When I worked forestry & we were at Lord Derbys estate over Knowsley, we'd burn all the sneddings (offcuts & scrub) we'd throw spuds & Chezzies in the embers & ate them when we stopped for scoff. Absolutely gorgeous on a cold Oct/Nov day in the woods. Sadly nowadays it's all done in the oven.

[cashman]

aint been able to eat em since mid 70s due to removal of me knashers, shame i loved em.

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by cashman

aint been able to eat em since mid 70s due to removal of me knashers, shame i loved em.

If you boil them instead of roasting them, you can mash them
Chestnut Cooking Tips

[cashman]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

If you boil them instead of roasting them, you can mash them
Chestnut Cooking Tips

Ta margaret but dont fancy boiled at all.

[Benipete]

I can remember the late Johnny Morris as the Hot Chestnut Man telling stories on children's TV in the 50's.
I must be getting old.

[Mick]

You can still get them on Preston Market along with spuds
in little bags with little pats of butter or large spuds in trays with coleslaw.

[MargaretR]

I am having some delivered with groceries this aft - will try boiling and mashing - I have 'denture limitations' too

[jaysay]

As soon as I read this post the taste came back to me, even though its years since I had any, Less has started me thinking, but like him they'd be done in the oven

[MargaretR]

I have just boiled a batch and can recommend boiling over roasting.
Boiling provides even cooking - ie - no hard bits, just an even tasty soft sweetness.
I intended to mash but they are so soft I didn't need to.

You need asbestos fingers because they need peeling while still hot. As they cool and dry they become harder to peel. They peel easier than roasted because the shell is softened by the water.

You need to 'score' the shell before boiling just the same as when you roast (prevents explosions) - a 20 min boil was enough

[Less]

Christmas treat time again, chestnuts cooking away.

[davebtelford]

We used to get roasted spuds from a guy on Blackburn Boulevard - he'd spit on his hands so they didn't get burnt when he picked them out of the oven

[sm_counsell]

Just eaten turkey stuffed with chestnuts, delicious.
Merry Christmas to all and all the best for 2014

[kestrelx]

For anyone who doesn't know these are sweet chestnuts not horse chestnuts (the ones used for playing conkers with!)