We all know the song “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.” Doesn’t it conjure up romantic images of Christmas long ago? Have you ever wondered how to actually roast chestnuts on an open fire? Well, grab your woolen mittens and yuletide carols and let’s go! PS – We’ll show you how to do it in the oven too.
Do you want to know how to roast chestnuts? I’ll show you the old fashioned way, and the more realistic way. Because as nostalgic as roasting chestnuts can be, sometimes you just want roasted chestnuts without all of the pomp and circumstances.
WARNING and DISCLAIMER: The information you are about to read contains dangerous activities. Scoring chestnuts is an inherently dangerous activity. Use extreme caution when scoring chestnuts. Do not use knives when drunk. Do not let children handle knives. Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball. Are we good?
Psst… want beautiful Scripture + Gratitude printables to celebrate the beauty of the Advent Season? Click below…
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How to Roast Chestnuts
Regardless of how you decide to roast chestnuts, you MUST score them first. Let me repeat. YOU MUST SCORE THEM FIRST. If you do not score them, they will explode and create a very dangerous situation.
How to Score a Chestnut
1. Place the round side down and you want to score it on the flat side.
2. Place your pointer finger at north, your thumb at the south, and your knife will travel west to east, away from your hand and fingers.
3. While holding the chestnut with enough pressure that it doesn’t move, but not too much pressure that it pops away, gently cut an “X” on the flat side of the chestnut with your knife.
Again… DO NOT place chestnuts on the fire or in the oven without scoring them. They will explode. They need to be slit for the air to escape while cooking. It is very important to score the chestnuts before roasting!
To roast over an open fire, place the scored chestnuts in a heat-safe roaster for 20-30 minutes or until hot and roasted.
To roast in the oven, place scored chestnuts on a baking sheet and cook in the oven at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.
Let cool and gently peel away the shell to expose the nuts. Drink a little Wassail and sing some yuletide carols and be merry and bright!
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Love, hugs, and Jack Frost is nipping at my nose.
I have to admit, I have never eaten a chestnut. I think it looks like some great fun to roast them though. Perhaps I will have to give this a try.
P.s. now I have this song stuck in my head!
Hi Cynthia – Hubby likes them more than I do, but they are fun and nostalgic to roast! Oh and PS – wait until Sunday’s post LOL!!!! Hugs, Holly
Love Chestnuts! Make them every year. I score them I’m the top. They are delicious. They still sell them in New York City around town.
Hi Peggy – How romantic to purchase roasted chestnuts in NYC. I would love to see the city this time of year. Merry Christmas! Hugs, Holly
I have never tried them but if I see them this year, I am definitely picking some up! So many wonderful foods – so little time!!!
Hi Jacqueline – It’s fun just to say you’ve done it! Merry Christmas! Hugs, Holly
Neat! I have always picked them up cooked, now I can try making my own 🙂 Thanks for linking to Snickerdoodle Sunday!
Hi Kristina and Millie – Thanks for hosting and have a Happy New Year! Hugs, Holly