16 savory chestnut recipes

Epicurious.com

Sure, the iconic image of these nuts roasting on an open fire is magical, but we would have preferred it if the next line in the classic Christmas ballad involved a chocolate chestnut torte baking instead of Jack Frost nipping. In fact, we adore almost anything, sweet or savory, in which rich-tasting, low-in-fat chestnuts appear. Here are some of our favorites.

Tips:

Choose Wisely

Look for chestnuts with firm, uncracked shells that are heavy for their size.

Store Properly

Store chestnuts in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator for two weeks or in the freezer for several months.

Substitute to Save Time

Shelling freshly roasted chestnuts is time-consuming. Fortunately, chestnuts in a can or jar make an acceptable substitute in most recipes.

Check for Sweetness

If a recipe calls for chestnut purée, you can either make it yourself or purchase it from a gourmet grocer. If you opt for the latter, note that some are sweetened and some are not, so make sure you get the right kind for your recipe.

Recipes:

Super Soups

Chestnut and Lobster Soup

Chestnut and Kale Soup

Chestnut Fennel Soup

Chestnut and Celery Soup

Nutty Stuffings

Chestnut and Bacon Dressing

Chestnut, Prune, and Pancetta Stuffing

Chestnut and Sausage Stuffing

Chestnut, Onion, and Currant Stuffing

First Courses and Main Dishes

Tagliatelle with Chestnuts, Pancetta, and Sage

Chestnut Risotto with Butternut Squash

Striped Bass with Swiss Chard, Chestnuts, and Pomegranate Vinaigrette

Roast Pork Tenderloins with Balsamic-Chestnut Glaze

Something Sweet

Chestnut Cake with Maple Icing

Chocolate Chestnut Torte

Chocolate Chestnut Truffles

Chestnut-Caramel Ice Cream

Click here for many more recipes


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