Sweet chestnuts

[Lady Willow]

I collected my own body weight in sweet chestnuts today!

I love them roasted in the fire, and also chestnut and veg rosts ... and spicy chestnut mini 'sausage' rolls.

Any other veggie suggestions please?

[Green Aura]

They make Brussel Sprouts slightly more palatable. (Well as long as you pick out all the chestnuts and only eat those )

[Lady Willow]

I lurve Brussel sprouts!

So long as they aren't cooked for 2 hours until mushy! I even like them raw!

[mockturtle]

you could cook them and cream them and use as a filling for profiteroles instead of cream. But i'm with the yummy sprout gang

[Carltonian Man]

Collected the first of the seasons chestnuts today and put them into a stuffing with wild mushrooms and sage.

[snapdragon]

I'm sure I spotted some near my dentists last week - have to go back wednesday for drill'n'fillin so I shall take the bus and a small sack and walk the last half mile

[patR]

try soaking some dried beans overnight, then put them in pan with peeled chestnuts, equal quantities and slowly simmer for hours, the result will be a sweet thick beany chestnutty goo, almost a soup but not quite... the chestnuts almost disolve and the beans just about keep their shape... its yummy... shown to me by a portuguese neighbour and eaten as a yummy lunch with fresh soda bread dipped in...

[bonniethomas06]

Jealous!

I can't find a horsechestnut tree anywhere near me I have been keeping an eye out and everything :-(

[Mrs Moustoir]

Don't eat horsechestnuts - they're conkers! You want a sweet chestnut with the really spikey nut cases.

[frozenthunderbolt]

Jealous!

I can't find a horsechestnut tree anywhere near me I have been keeping an eye out and everything :-(

horsechestnut is poisonus. It has differnet leaves and a smoother shell. dont go near it for eating.

[Thingameejig]

I live near Brackley, South Northants. I would be grateful if anyone could advise me if there are any sweet chestnut trees near as they are a family favourite!

Many thanks!

[Green Aura]

Hi, and welcome to Ish - sorry can't answer your question but I'm sure someone will.

[Alice Abbott]

We have LOADS too. In fact we are roasting some right now.

So far I've made a huge batch of stuffing which is now frozen, we have some which I've candied (marron glace) and some hanging in a net to keep for Christmas. I've made some jam and a sort of chestnut/hazelnut butter for the kids to eat on bread. We've frozen quite a few shelled ones too, just in case I can think of something to do with them. There are still loads to collect but I've run out of ideas...

[Darroch]

I love them. All time favourite way to eat them ( childhood memories!) Is boiled a bit first, then roasted on an old spade right on top of glowing coals in the fire. Spread newspaper all over the floor in front of the fire. Get a sharp knife and cut in half after roasted, peel shell off, sprinkle with salt and eat. Many burnt fingers! AH lovely memories.
Not the right time of year for them here - but come autumn I'll be getting some.

[oldjerry]

I live near Brackley, South Northants. I would be grateful if anyone could advise me if there are any sweet chestnut trees near as they are a family favourite!

Many thanks!

Dont know your area,except passing through,so I thought I'd wait to see if anyone popped up.Couple of pointers,that occur to me,Sweet chestnut hasn't been as extensively plantedin the last century or so,as the useless but more decorative horse chestnut has become more favourite with municipal depts and other commercial landscapers(cheaper, quicker to grow,more showy etc).So.....best look around the margins of large old estates,National trust ,English heritage houses etc, You will find them in lots of places,but if I was new to an area,this is where I'd start. Best Wishes.