Chestnuts are unique, delicious and nutritious. Try one of these chestnut recipes for a taste of the season.
A classic fall treat, chestnuts can be found in a variety of recipes. From desserts to casseroles, these rustic and earthy nuts add a sweet nutty flavor to any dish. Their unique taste make them a natural alternative to the ordinary when paired with other flavors.
These 10 chestnut recipes will give you plenty of ideas if you’re new to chestnuts. If you love them roasted and simple, stick with that classic recipe. If you’re looking for a fun and festive dish, try the Italian Chestnut Cake—it’s impressive enough for a crowd! And if you’re serving a crowd, then whip up some chocolate-covered chestnut truffles or chestnut hummus. There’s a chestnut recipe on this list for everyone!
10 Best Chestnut Recipes
Roasted chestnuts are a classic winter warmer. Served piping hot, straight from the open fire or oven, they’re an amazingly cozy treat. Sprinkle them with sea salt and dive in—these crispy treats won’t last long!
For those of us who aren’t French chefs, this recipe makes things easy. The sugar syrup does all the work here. Simply dunk your chestnuts in the syrup, let them soak for a few days, and then dry them in the oven before eating. Bon appetit!
This super easy and delicious stuffing is like a modified version of your traditional stuffing recipe. This dish is great for any meal throughout the year, but it’s especially perfect for Thanksgiving. It makes use of chestnuts which gives the stuffing a great texture while keeping it inside the traditional realm.
Have you ever tried Chestnut Truffles? They are perfect for Christmas or New Years Eve. If you are looking for an easy dessert recipe that is delicious and unique, this one fits perfectly in that category.
Harkening back to an ancient tradition of foraging for wild food in the depth of winter, my version of this delicious, hand-crafted hummus uses chestnuts in place of the usual chickpeas. Serve on crudités or crackers as a great Christmas spread or finger food.
If you love toffee, you’ll love this toffee chestnut recipe. It’s sweet and cinnamony. Even better, it’s simple and easy to make. We love chestnuts in this family. Roasted chestnut recipes are my all time favorites.
The following chestnut cream recipe was contributed by Mrs. Pauline McConnell in 1959 to Yankee Magazine. This dish is approximately 150 years old and has been passed down for generations in her family.
A rich blue cheese bechamel makes this tart deliciously rich, so you’ll want to have only a small piece. It’s an excellent starter for a holiday meal or as a side dish, but it also makes a delicious light dinner paired with a green salad.
Chestnuts are a special treat in autumn. Take advantage of them and try making spaghetti with Italian sausage, chestnuts, and fennel. This savory dish is quite a treat for your taste buds.
If you haven’t had castagnaccio yet, autumn hasn’t truly arrived. Castagnaccio is a Tuscan cake made from chestnut flour, water and olive oil. It’s a humble dessert—the poor man’s cake—originally from the Apennines (where chestnuts were plentiful).
Concluding Thoughts
If you enjoyed these chestnut recipes and are interested in other recipes using homegrown or wild edible foods, be sure to check out our recipe index. You’ll find dozens of unique recipes.
Here are a few examples of what you might find:
- Chocolate Chestnut Truffles: A Delicious Taste of Fall
- A Delicious Crabapple Recipe: Hand Pies For Our Ancestors
- Small Batch Wild Black Raspberry Jam Recipe
- Spiced Pickled Crabapple Recipe: A Delicious Taste of Autumn
- Lambs Quarters & Wild Mushroom Quiche
- Blueberry Shortcake: The Most Amazing Blueberry Dessert
- Easy Chestnut Hummus: The Holiday Appetizer You’ve Been Waiting For
