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If you haven’t tried roasted chestnuts yet, you have some catching up to do! They are a uniquely tasty treat that you can easily prepare at home. Homemade preparation is a bit more demanding than buying ready-made chestnuts, but the taste is definitely worth it.
Where to get edible chestnuts?
Don’t confuse edible chestnuts with inedible ones! Edible chestnuts are the fruits of the sweet chestnut tree, while inedible fruits come from the horse chestnut. Today you can find the sweet chestnut tree even in the Czech Republic, mainly in Kolín and the Pardubice region. If you’re interested, you can even get your own saplings and grow chestnuts yourself – it’s recommended to plant at least two trees, which bear fruit better.
For those who don’t want to wait, it’s easier to go to the supermarket, where edible chestnuts are commonly available.
Preparing roasted chestnuts
To prepare roasted chestnuts you’ll only need a few basic items:
- Edible chestnuts
- A bowl of water
- A sharp knife
- A baking tray
- Parchment paper
Preparation begins the day before
Soak the chestnuts in water and let them absorb moisture overnight. If you’re in a hurry, it’s enough to leave them in water for at least 1–2 hours before roasting.
- Turn the oven to 220–240 °C and let it preheat.
- On a baking tray lined with parchment paper arrange the chestnuts, which you will score with a sharp knife in a cross shape. If any chestnut looks bad (e.g., black or moldy inside), throw it away.
- Cover the tray with foil and bake for 15–18 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake another 5–8 minutes, until the chestnuts are nicely soft and fragrant.
And that’s all! You can now enjoy this traditional autumn treat and surprise your family and friends. Enjoy!
