Roasted chestnuts, all the secrets for a mouth-watering snack

Roasted chestnuts are the quintessential cold season snack. Aromatic and warm, nutritious and tasty, roasted chestnuts, a symbol of Christmas markets and local festivals, are very simple to make. The only thing you need is a pot with holes, as well as, of course, top quality chestnuts to fully enjoy the aroma of this mountain fruit. The pan with holes, used specifically for cooking roasted chestnuts at home, is a very useful tool because it allows the fire to “caress” the chestnuts, roasting them lightly but without burning them. The result is a tasty snack, a healthy and delicate comfort food appreciated by adults and children and also perfect for enriching many preparations

The recipe for the perfect roasted chestnuts

Don't worry if you've never prepared roasted chestnuts, because it's very simple. For roasted chestnuts, prefer chestnuts that are about the same size, in order to cook evenly for all the fruits. Start by carving the chestnuts by making a cut of about 3 cm horizontally, so as to prevent them from exploding during cooking due to high pressure. Let them soak in cold water for about 2 hours, then drain them, dry them and place them in the perforated pan, without adding any water or fat of any kind. Let them simmer for half an hour, turning them often with tongs to cook them evenly. While cooking, keep the chestnuts covered with a couple of sheets of absorbent paper well wet and squeezed out, watering them from time to time to prevent them from burning. This step will keep the chestnuts soft to the heart, preserving the right degree of humidity.
As soon as they are toasted/burned, you can finally remove them from the heat and serve them plain or with a good handful of salt, typical of Sicilian roasted

chestnuts.

What to enjoy roasted chestnuts with? Our suggestions to make the most of them

Roasted chestnuts are not only delicious, but they are also very versatile in the kitchen. Perfect naturally as a snack or to round off a meal, they are also ideal for decorating desserts, first courses and delicious fillings. Since chestnut is a fruit of the woods, typically autumnal, combining roasted chestnuts with other berries can be a winning tactic. They are therefore perfect at the end of a meal, especially if the other courses are based on pumpkin, mushrooms, game, but also cheese and dried fruit, legumes, cereals and aromatic herbs.

Roasted chestnuts are also great for making desserts. The chestnut cake is delicious, soft and fragrant, but the spoon desserts with this autumn fruit are also particularly delicious. In general then, if you like to experiment, chestnuts go great with dried fruit and raisins.

The real question, however, is only one: 'what to drink with roasted chestnuts'? Actually, the answer is pretty simple, because roasted chestnuts taste great with red wine and hot drinks. If in the second case it is easier to find your way around, when it comes to wine the issue is more complicated, because to enhance the aroma of chestnuts it is necessary to choose the right red.
Chestnut is a mushy fruit, not too sweet, so it needs a wine rich in tannins.
If you are going to enjoy natural roasted chestnuts, the ideal is a lively red, such as a Schiava from Trentino, but also a Rosso from the Euganean Hills, a Corvina Veronese or a Valpolicella can be excellent solutions. If roasted chestnuts accompany the dessert then the ideal would be a Lambrusco, with a delicate effervescence but still very lively. If, on the other hand, you love both hot drinks and red wine then the right option for you is the classic Mulled Vin, a hot, spicy and incredibly aromatic drink. For Brulé, red wines such as Teroldego or wines based on Merlot, Sangiovese or Cabernet are used. Regardless of the wine chosen, it will be cooked (without ever boiling) with a mixture of spices, including cinnamon, cloves and fruit.

And for the little ones, roasted chestnuts can be served with a delicious spicy black tea based on orange and cinnamon or, to toast with adults, together with an apple Brulé, Apfelglühwein, a warm and aromatic apple juice that will conquer the hearts of adults and children. Eventually, if none of these options suit you, then aim for the classic hot chocolate, which always looks good and brings everyone together.

In any case, roasted chestnuts alone will be able to recreate a nice, truly engaging party atmosphere. Take a look at our portal to choose your chestnuts and a good wine to accompany them. You'll see, you'll be spoiled for choice!