Community Chat

[sidsmom]

For the first time, I've tasted steamed chestnuts!  Unfortunately they were pre-packaged & not fresh like up North, but this is as good as we're gonna get down in Texas.    They had a spongy-like texture & a faint sweet-chocolately-earthy taste.  Interesting.  I liked it!

Have you eaten fresh chestnuts?

[CharleyHorse]

• Sidsmom, I have never had chestnuts. I have always been curious though because of the song (chestnuts roasting on an open fire).  I'll have to try them sometime.  CH

[corita]

While growing up out of the US, we had warm chestnuts every Christmas holiday!  Love the flavor!  My mother made sure that there were always some in the house during the festivities.  Would love to have some again, but they don't seem to be available around here..

[151949]

A neighbor brought some to camp one fall and we roasted them over the campfire. I didn't think they were very good.

[Kachina624]

"Chestnut roasting on an open fire" is one Christmas tradition that deserves to die.  I think they're awful.

[PeterDM]

Chestnuts are wonderful.  I used to get them in NYC along with other roasted nuts that you can buy from wagons on the street corners during the holidays.  Now that I live in the south, I purchase a bag of them and roast them every now and then.  I also buy the ones that are pre cooked in the vacuum sealed bags to eat as snacks, and I also use them to make chestnut soup.  

[lovescats]

My father used to eat them and that's how I learned to like them.  I cuts slits in the tops and boil them for about 20 to 30 minutes.  I fix about 10 when I do it but I haven't bought any yet since they're 7.00 a pound this year.    And you have to be so careful when you pick them out so you don't get bad ones.    If you can get local ones at a farmers market those are the best ones.

[shoekitty]

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@sidsmom wrote:

For the first time, I've tasted steamed chestnuts!  Unfortunately they were pre-packaged & not fresh like up North, but this is as good as we're gonna get down in Texas.    They had a spongy-like texture & a faint sweet-chocolately-earthy taste.  Interesting.  I liked it!

Have you eaten fresh chestnuts?

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Shoekitty said

I don't like the pre packed at all!  I have had Melissa's, and we didn't really care for them.  I have had fresh chestnuts, and they are good.  Not my favorite food, but if offered I might take one.  We live in California, and every holiday season he bought tons of them.  He roasted them in the oven, and ate them like crazy!  The fresh ones are not spongy to me, but the pre packed are.

[Lila Belle]

Buying chestnuts from vendors on the street is one thing I miss about living in Europe, especially during the holidays. We love them !

[MoJoV]

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@Lila Belle wrote:
Buying chestnuts from vendors on the street is one thing I miss about living in Europe, especially during the holidays. We love them !

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We went to our town Christmas parade this evening and there were vendors selling freshly steamed chestnuts....great fun and delicious!