Chestnut Roasting

[flobadob]

Can chestnuts be roasted on an open fire as suggested in the song? On the packet I got today it says to cut an X into the top of them and roast them in the oven for ten minutes.

[Purple_Popple]

Yes, just pierce the skins, then place on a baking tray and roast them in the over on a low heat for 10 mins. Keep an eye on them though just in case.
You can even microwave them, I have had great results sticking them in a microwave after cutting the skins.

[EDDIE51]

We used to roast them on the coal shovel on the open fire. But that was over 40 years ago.

[craft1948]

We did as well Eddie. they often jumped off the shovel...

[BlackadderV]

30 mins on gas 6, 200F. Microwave them at your peril. If you have an open fire, then pierce them and roast them on the fire on the coal shovel.

[EDDIE51]

^^ Yes straight into the fire, I remember that.

[flobadob]

It says ten mins at 200c on the packet I have, not 30 mins. Does it matter where the X is cut into it?

[Veebird]

I've seen a chestnut roasting spoon on sale with holes in and a a long handle but you can use an old frying pan on the fire. Don't let them burn though.

[Peter Pedant]

yeah shove them on the fire

there is one story that begins with the chestnuts popping from the fire and that is a signal for magic to begin ....

[tamborine]

Use this or cover baking tin with pierced foil to stop the skins spitting.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/plvtd2d

[EDDIE51]

^^ half the fun was trying to grab them out of the fire with the coal tongs.

[hc4361]

Don't you remember the chestnut seller in the High Street?

http://spitalfieldslife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/London-Hot-Chestnut-Seller-an-early-photo.jpg

[tamborine]

Too hot for elth n safety :/

http://spitalfieldslife.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Fred-2-Chesnuts-Wentworth-Street-Market-series-by-Jeremy-Freedman-2011.jpg

[flobadob]

Well they are in the oven this time round but might try the open fire another night. That's unless they taste like dog turds if course.

[lardhelmet]

I dont think I've ever eaten anything that tasted like dog turds. Not when I was sober anyway...

[hc4361]

How would you know, lardhelmet? :D

[lardhelmet]

Fair point hc.

[hc4361]

I did taste cow poo once.

Not on purpose, you understand. I was probably about 10 and out and about with my dad on a country walk. I tripped on a stile and landed flat out in the field, covered in muck. Without thinking I tried to lick my hand clean not realising I'd landed in a cow pat. The best I can say is it didn't kill me.

[lardhelmet]

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger hc. Bet your mum wasn't impressed when you got home!

[woofgang]

oh chestnuts roasted on a shovel.....and chestnut vendors in the street with a hot brazier and little white paper bags.....
If you want them to cook with you can also simmer them in water, add a little salt or not to taste, again pierce them before putting them in the water. Done this way they are very easy to peel.

If you are really lazy (like me) then Waitrose sells bags of frozen chestnuts which are much nicer than the tinned or vaccuum packed kind.

[dancecaller]

Every christmas it was my Grandad's job to roast and peel chestnuts. He did it below the fire basket - in the ashes. He hardly got any himself by the time he'd peeled for everyone else.