Comments on Quatro Fromaggio and Other Disgraces on the Menu: Caldarroste (Roasted Chestnuts)

I have my grandparents' chestnut roaster that ...

2012-01-23T18:16:19.486-08:00

I have my grandparents' chestnut roaster that my mother brought back from Rome and then passed on to me. It gets pulled out every year at Thanksgiving. Another reason a gas stove is a must :-)

I just suffered a MAJOR salivation... damn you pao...

2012-01-03T13:55:56.749-08:00

I just suffered a MAJOR salivation... damn you paolo!! :)

PolaM, Tiffany, mjskit, thanks for your comments! ...

2011-12-29T17:44:02.470-08:00

PolaM, Tiffany, mjskit, thanks for your comments!

Mjskit, let me know how they turn out :)

I tried roasted chestnuts for the first time this ...

2011-12-29T15:50:09.578-08:00

I tried roasted chestnuts for the first time this year and I did like them, but yes - they did have a mealy texture. However, the flavor was great! After looking at yours, I don't believe that I roasted mine long enough. I'm planning on trying again next year and to use your method. Yours look MUCH better than mine!

YUM! These chestnuts remind me of my childhood! :D...

2011-12-29T12:09:34.576-08:00

YUM! These chestnuts remind me of my childhood! :D

Love caldarroste, especialy if roasted on a real f...

2011-12-29T04:08:42.053-08:00

Love caldarroste, especialy if roasted on a real fire... Not very common in the US though...

Thanks for your questions :) I honestly never trie...

2011-12-28T00:05:09.609-08:00

Thanks for your questions :) I honestly never tried the chestnuts that are sold by street vendors in Vancouver, they seem too expensive.

Even though edible, Italian acorns are not for human consumption - they're fed to some farm animals. Japanese acorns must be different :)

Your posts always make me want to try new things, ...

2011-12-27T14:22:56.457-08:00

Your posts always make me want to try new things, P.

How are the chestnuts sold in the streets of downtown Vancouver? They smell pretty good, but I wouldn't know an impostor. If they're not the real deal, where should I grab some?

I had a boss in Japan who used to love eating acorns in a similar manner. Do Italians eat acorns too? My folks have a few huge oak trees, and in the fall the lawn is lousy with acorns. You can hear them rain down on the roof when the wind blows. They're a big nuisance, but if we could eat them, that would really be something.

Thanks for your contributions! This is what I love...

2011-12-25T18:28:25.449-08:00

Thanks for your contributions! This is what I love the most about blogging, meeting other people and getting to know their stories.

Simona, the only thing that I found about 'curing' chestnuts is that it's best to let fresh chestnuts rest for a few days to let some of the starch turn into sugar. Chestnuts are quite perishable because of their high content of water, they should be stored in the fridge in an air-tight container, or frozen.

We used to buy a case in the fall in my mother'...

2011-12-25T04:52:26.853-08:00

We used to buy a case in the fall in my mother's village (which had castagneti nearby), and then eat them for many day afterwards. My mother would alternate between roasting and boiling them. The chestnuts were nice and plump, each one a mouthful of great flavor and texture. My mother used to tell me that once picked, chestnut must be "cured" to make them last properly. However, I don't know what the process entailed. Lovely photo.

Oh wow - such a special winter treat! Stefano'...

2011-12-24T05:00:35.917-08:00

Oh wow - such a special winter treat! Stefano's dad used to peel them for Cara when they were still really hot, so she didn't burn her fingers. We have such a hard time finding good quality chestnuts here. When we do have them, we usually roast them right in the oven. We'll have to try them over gas. A glass of red wine is a must!

I love caldarroste! A very lovely treat! Merry Ch...

2011-12-24T03:00:42.884-08:00

I love caldarroste! A very lovely treat!

Merry Christmas, Paolo!

Love the nutty and toasty flavor and aroma of roas...

2011-12-23T22:33:39.154-08:00

Love the nutty and toasty flavor and aroma of roasted chestnuts. They look great, Paolo. Have a good holiday!

~ ray ~