
Merry Christmas! Here's the perfect holiday snack -- roasted chestnuts. Last year we were in Rome just after Christmas, and a few times a day we would buy a cone of grilled chestnuts on the streets. Nothing beats it in cold weather. I couldn't resist when I saw some at the produce stand a few days ago. Make sure they are really fresh, and if you keep them in the fridge for a couple of days, keep them in a bag that breathes, rather than a plastic bag. These are ready to eat in a half hour, and if you have a house full of people who love chestnuts (like mine) they won't last more than a half hour.
Roasted chestnuts
Ingredients
1 pound (1/2 kilo) fresh chestnuts
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (225 C). Prepare the chestnuts by slicing an 'x' into the flat side of each chestnut with a serrated knife. Be very careful not to cut yourself, especially if the chestnuts are really hard.
- Lay the chestnuts flat on a roasting pan and sprinkle liberally with water.
- Roast for 15 minutes, then turn the chestnuts over. Sprinkle them with water again.
- Roast for another 15 minutes, then remove from the oven.
- Cool until you can handle them, then eat immediately -- they are delicious warm.

Roasting chestnuts on the grill in RomeLabels: recipes, the sweet