Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire....

So the other day we got a pint of Chestnuts at the local farmer's market for only three dollars. Neither of us had ever had Chestnuts, and it was quite the hot topic last year. They had them for sale at our local Redner's last winter, but they were super expensive and we didn't have money to blow. We were pretty curious as to whether or not they sucked though.

Three dollars didn't seem like a bad price for an adventure.

We weren't too sure what to do with them. Chris tried to eat one raw. After I reminded him that we had no idea what we were doing and he was probably going to poison himself, we consulted the internet. He was not going to die, but they're apparently tastier roasted. So they've been hanging out until I had time/energy to play with them.

Instructions said to cut an 'X' through the shell on the flat side. I started working on this while Chris was in the kitchen doing other things, there was an 'ow' with a knife slip, and suddenly I was no longer allowed to X the chestnuts. 

Chris took over, and I was given the steps that didn't involve sharp objects.

Like preheating the oven, and soaking them in hot water for a minute.

Chris was not having such an easy time cutting the X's. Many knives were employed.

After soaking I had to pat the Chestnuts dry.

Then they were to be tossed in a butter and seasoning blend. I used sea salt and oregano.

After tossing they were to be laid out on foil in a single layer.

And then wrap the foil into a packet around them.

Instructions said to bake for thirty minutes.

It says to peel them while still hot, otherwise it becomes seemingly more difficult. Some were easier to peel than others. We peeled about six until we stopped.

Why did we stop do you ask?

They suck. Peeling them sucks, and in our opinion they don't taste all that great. They have an odd texture and leave an even odder aftertaste.

Chris didn't like them at all.

I didn't like them enough to make them even remotely worth peeling.

Into the garbage they went.

So we learned that chestnuts will not be a new holiday tradition for us, and we do not like them.

Have you ever had chestnuts? Do you like them? Do you make them any differently than we did? Share in the comments!