Roasted Chestnuts - My Favourite Autumn Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

* 1/2 pound / 250 grams chestnuts

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 425 F/ 220 C

Find the flat side of each chestnut and cut a large X with a sharp paring knife all the way through the skin.

Place chestnuts on a shallow baking pan (or a chestnut roaster, see below) and place in the oven to roast for about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on size of nuts. Shake pan several times to rotate chestnuts so they will cook evenly.

If you just want them cooked enough to peel, roast for 10 to 15 minutes.

Peel roasted chestnuts as soon as they are cool enough to handle. Once they cool completely, they are difficult to peel. However, they may be reheated briefly to aid in peeling.

Chestnuts may also be roasted on the outdoor grill. Watch carefully and turn them often.

Another favorite method for small amounts is stove top, particularly on a gas stove. Place on top of a flame-tamer and cover with a deep lid. Roast over low heat until done, about 10 minutes, turning often to cook evenly.

[Credit: Recipe from About.com]

I recommend a light wine such as the Italian Vino Novello (translates: New wine)

Read more about this wine at WineCountry Italy. These wines are available both in the US and (obviously) in Europe. Just ask your local wineshop - or visit your local vinyard depending where in the world you are.

If you don't drink alcohol I will suggest you drink chilled water with the chestnuts.

Under the Spreading Chestnut Tree

Words and Music By: Unknown
Adapted By: Terry Kluytmans
Copyright © 1999 KIDiddles.com

Verse 1:
Under the spreading chestnut tree,
Where I knelt upon my knee,
We were as happy as could be,
Under the spreading chestnut tree.

Verse 2:
Under the spreading chestnut ____,
(Replace 'tree' with action:
Place arms close to side, bent upward
from the elbow, hands spread, with palms up)

Where I knelt upon my knee,
We were as happy as could be,
Under the spreading chestnut ____.
(Replace 'tree' with action as above)

Verse 3:
Under the spreading chest___ _____
(Replace 'nut' and 'tree' with actions:
For 'nut', pat head with hands.
For 'tree', do action as above)

Where I knelt upon my knee,
We were as happy as could be,
Under the spreading chest___ _____
(Replace 'nut' and 'tree' with actions as above.)

Verse 4:
Under the spreading ________ _____
(Replace 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree' with actions:
For 'chest', tap chest with both hands.
For 'nut' and 'tree', do actions as above.)

Where I knelt upon my knee,
We were as happy as could be,
Under the spreading ________ _____
(Replace 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree' with actions as above.)

Verse 5:
Under the _________ ________ _____
(Replace 'spreading', 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree'
with actions: For 'spreading', spread arms wide.
For 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree', do actions as above.)

Where I knelt upon my knee,
We were as happy as could be,
Under the _________ ________ _____
(Replace 'spreading', 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree'
with actions as above.)

Verse 6:
Under the _________ ________ _____
(Replace 'spreading', 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree'
with actions as above.)

Where I knelt upon my knee,
(Replace 'knee' with action: strike knee with hand)

We were as happy as could be,
Under the _________ ________ _____
(Replace 'spreading', 'chest', 'nut' and 'tree'
with actions as above.)

From:http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics/u005.html