Community Chat

[RoughDraft]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

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

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Mel Torme just rolled over.

When I was just a little girl, going into the downtown area at Christmas time to see all the windows dressed, there were chestnut vendors on almost every corner roasting them.  I can still smell them.  Sweet memories.

[wildcat fan]

We had lots of chestnut trees in my neighborhood when I was growing up in Kentucky.  I remember their prickly burrs.  Ouch!!!!  As a kid, I usually looked for the ones on the ground that were already opened so I wouldn't have to deal with the sharp needle-like covering.  We'd eat them right after picking and mama would get after us saying we'd get sick or ruin our supper.  She must have had a zillion chestnut recipes, but I always liked them plain.  

[Lila Belle]

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@MoJoV wrote:

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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!

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I'm so envious !

[hennypenny]

When I was a child there was a man who sold bags of roasted chestnuts from a cart in front of the City of Paris store in San Francisco. I looked forward to it every year. 

[Irshgrl31201]

I had never had a chestnut until I was in Paris. I really like them.

[Kachina624]

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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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Street vendors used to sell them in Philadelphia too.

[Pook]

My grandmother's fammily had  chestnut farms/orchards in northern Italy and every year they would send a huge crate of chestnuts.  She would either x slit them and roast them in the oven or x slit them and boil them.  I remember waiting impatiently until they were done.  I now go to an Italian store and get these wonderful huge Italian chestnuts.  When I just want a few I will x slit them and microwave them until they quit whistling but they are not as good. 

[CelticCrafter]

We always had roasted chestnuts for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I did buy a package of the steamed chestnuts one year and didn't care for them.  I think it was the texture.

[AngelPuppy1]

@sidsmom

I bought some like that awhile back and was all excited but I thought they were terrible!  Yuck.  Years and years ago we used to buy them from a fruit market and they had wonderful fresh ones.  We used to roast them in the oven and ate them hot andthey were so good.  Haven't had them like this in years.  

[AngelPuppy1]

@lovescats

I have never tried them boiled, only baked in the oven and I do remembe that we cut like an X in them.  Can't remember what temp or how long we baked them but I did like them very much.  And yes, you are right -- they must be fresh or they are horrible.  I bought them once from a grocery store and they were nasty and old and I remember that they were quite expensive.  And then they ended up going in the trash.  Very disappointing!!!