Chestnuts roasting on an open fire,
Jack Frost nipping on your nose,
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir,
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
……
And so I’m offering this simple phrase,
To kids from one to ninety-two,
Although its been said many times, many ways,
A very Merry Christmas to you!
–Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire
(first recorded by The Nat King Cole Trio)
I actually only know the first and last verse of this song!
But this definitely puts me in the Holiday spirit! I hope all of you are spending a wonderful weekend with your family and friends this Christmas- beginning with Christmas Eve!
So chestnuts- I promised to give you some tips on how to roast them. (Check out the Fifth Floor Kitchen Facebook page to get article links, updates, etc.)
How to Roast Chestnuts
1/2 – 1 lb fresh chestnuts*
Preheat the oven to 475°F. Spread out the chestnuts in a baking dish (this way they don’t slip out). Find a flat side of each chestnut, and with a sharp paring knife cut a large “X”. You want it to cut through the chestnut skin.
I really like how they all look!
Place in the oven for 30-40 minutes. The edges will start to peel.
The skin is a little furry.
Let them cool a bit (to not burn your fingers). Once they are cool enough to handle, peel the chestnuts. Don’t let them cool completely, they will be very difficult to peel.
Enjoy this delicious little treat!
*The amount of the chestnuts does not matter. I tend to buy 2 bags at the store (I know Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s carries them).
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