Chestnuts About This: How to Roast Virginia-Grown Chestnuts

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…or in an oven; roast your chestnut however you like. Known for their sweet flavor and soft texture, Chestnuts are a great source of antioxidants, potassium, and magnesium. No wonder they are a holiday favorite.

“I grew up in Belgium, picking and eating chestnuts in the fall and buying roasted ones in the winter. I wanted to thank you for the best chestnuts I've ever found in the United States!” -Ndona H.

Harvesting Chestnuts in Virginia

Chestnuts in the Mid-Atlantic are harvested during mid-to-late autumn. We source chestnuts for the 4P Foods’ shop from Virginia Chestnuts, a group of 3 family farms located in Shipman, Va., Elkton, Va., and Roseland, Va.

How to Roast a Chestnut in an Oven

Step #1: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step #2: Using a serrated knife, make an X shaped incision on the round side of the chestnut. Be sure to cut all the way through the skin, otherwise they will explode in the oven. 

Step #3: Arrange your chestnuts evenly spaced on a shallow baking sheet with the X side up.

Step #4: Roast in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the skin is pulled back from the inner yellow chestnut meat.

Step #5: Remove the chestnuts from the oven and place them all in a kitchen towel. Using the kitchen towel to squeeze the chestnuts together. You should hear a crackling sound if they have roasted long enough. BE CAREFUL the chestnuts will be hot!

Step #6: Use a kitchen towel to remove the outer skin and peel the chestnuts.

Step #7: Enjoy a holiday favorite!

How to Roast a Chestnut Over an Open Fire

Step #1: Brush up on fire safety and any burning laws or fire bans in your area. This is good for you and the planet.

Step #2: Set up your cast iron skillet for cooking over the flames and build your fire. This way your cast iron skillet will be hot when the chestnuts are placed in them.

Step #3: Using a serrated knife, make an X shaped incision on the round side of the chestnut. Be sure to cut all the way through the skin.

Step #4: Place the chestnuts flat side down in the cast iron skillet. BE CAREFUL the cast iron will be hot!

Step #5: Roast the chestnuts until the skin is pulled back from the inner yellow chestnut meat.

Step #6: Remove the chestnuts from the skillet and place them in a kitchen towel. Using the kitchen towel, squeeze the chestnuts together. You should hear a crackling sound if they have roasted long enough.

Step #7: Use a kitchen towel or gloves to remove the outer skin and peel the chestnuts.

Step #8: Create wonderful holiday memories of eating chestnuts around the fire!