How to Roast Chestnuts by an open fire

When Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, there's nothing to be done but gather around the hearth and roast chestnuts in your cozy living room.

1. Choose a utensil that has a long handle such as a frying pan

2. Step 2

   Clean dirt off of chestnuts.

3. Step 3

   Cut an X into the shell of each chestnut with a paring knifeto avoid a build up of steam inside the nuts.

4. Step 4

   Place chestnuts in pan and cover.

5. Step 5

   Roast over the coals of an open hearth for 15 to 25 minutes or until the chestnuts are tender and the shells are beginning to open.

6. Step 6

   Peel chestnuts when they are cool enough to handle and serve with salt if desired.

Things You'll Need:

• firewood
  
• Chestnuts
• Salt
• Salt
• Frying Pan With Lid
• Oven Mitts
• paring knife
  
• Oven Mitts
• Salt
• Salt
• Oven mitts

Tips & Warnings

• Use dry, firm chestnuts, because soft chestnuts may be rotted.
• Don't use a nonstick pan; these can't tolerate direct heat.
• Be sure to remove the inner skins from the chestnuts as well as the shells.
• Chestnuts that have not been cut or pricked to allow steam to escape may explode even after being removed from the heat.

How to roast chestnuts in the oven

Longing for something a little different over the holidays? All you have to do is just follow some brief and simple steps, and you’re well on your way to enjoying a cozy, storybook-style winter's night and warm up with some traditionally toasty chestnuts.

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

2. Step 2

   Clean off chestnuts.

3. Step 3

   Use a sharp paring knife to cut an X into one side of each chestnut, or prick chestnuts with a fork to allow steam to escape.

4. Step 4

   Arrange chestnuts on a baking sheet or in a shallow pan, with the cut or pricked sides up.

5. Step 5

   Roast in oven for 15 to 25 minutes, or until chestnuts are tender and easy to peel.

6. Step 6

   Peel the nuts when they are cool enough to handle, and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Use dry, firm chestnuts; soft chestnuts might be rotted.
• Try a little salt on your chestnuts.
• Be sure to remove the inner skins as well as the shells.
• Chestnuts that have not been cut or pricked to allow steam to escape may explode, even after being removed from the heat.