Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Chestnuts.

 

I just picked up what would fit in my pocket. It's Autumn so the Eastern walking track I use is smothered in fallen chestnuts. There are about 10 tress. Nobody else seems to pick any up because those who walk dogs won't go there when the prickly nuts are all over the ground (The prickles get in the soft pads on a dogs paw )

 Before they fall the nuts look attractive in the lime green prickly containers.
 Castanea ( not sure which variety ) probably Castanea sativa.
 As kids we used to roast them on a metal hearth shovel in the open fire till they split or exploded.
 As a nut it has no oil and a high starch content but tasty roasted with butter if you can be bothered.

1 comment:

loulee said...

I love roasted chestnuts. No need for butter.
We used to pop them on top of the aga to cook or maybe on the shovel in the open fire. Then break our nails picking the crispy shells off.
I have a beautiful chestnut soup recipe. A shame they are hard to find here in Timaru and expensive to buy online.