chestnuts roasting on an open fire…

Yes, tis the season! Whenever I see chestnuts my mind springs back to being a kid on our farm, running around barefoot and screaming with pain whenever I stepped on a chestnut burr. Then you had to open and peel the darn thing and then my thumbs would ache after eating way more than I should’ve. (You see, I liked them raw, not roasted.) But, a small price to pay for that yummy sweet nut taste. After going through all of that, it seemed like such a reward! I can still remember that feeling. (Oh yes, and I can also remember the feeling of eating way too many, but we won’t go there.)

Many of you may not even know what chestnuts taste like. And don’t confuse them with a water chestnut. We’re definitely talking two different things here. In Europe they’re a winter staple and gathering them is a fall ritual. In fact in Italy, the first chestnuts are roasted, peeled and dropped into a glass of wine. As the chestnut soaks, supposedly the earthy, fruity flavors mingle. Then you eat the chestnuts while drinking the wine they were soaking in. Hmm…need to put that on my “to do” list. A sip of wine…a bite of chestnut…a sip of wine…a sip of wine…

Anywho, as I ramble around in this city, I don’t see as many street vendors with chestnuts like I used to. So what’s up with that? Well after chatting with one of the vendor guys, he says he had a hard time selling them and just doesn’t carry them anymore. So lo and behold an article comes out in one of my numerous web feeds this week and sure enough they’re more marketable in the tourist areas of the city. The article even went on to quote the New York food guru, Arthur Schwartz, that chestnuts are now imported from Italy which makes them pricey street fare. Who knew?

Well I never liked them roasted anyway, but I do hope it’s a part of tradition that never goes away.