Roasting chestnuts

melons · Post by **melons** » 11 Dec 2007, 16:45

Why oh why have mine all just exploded like bombs in the oven LOL
I am the world worst cook, admittedly sile}

things I cook often have to go straight in the bin without ever seeing a plate )j;

but... this can't be rocket science can it, they have all exploded & absolutely covered the oven in a mash consistency mess & when I say covered, I mean covered, & the mat in front of the oven as I opened the door, what am I doing wrong this time?????

This is my Christmas dinner I'm cooking to take with me, so I'm not the pain in the backside veggie everyone dreads, good job i've started it early )j;

lancashire lass · Post by **lancashire lass** » 11 Dec 2007, 16:55

I believe you have to split the skin otherwise like a baked potato in a microwave that hasn't been stabbed to death beforehand, it will build up steam and explode .... not that I have ever roasted a chestnut in my life! Someone else may know better.

Post by Mo » 11 Dec 2007, 17:29

Yes, that's the answer.
Grandad used to spend Christmas day, sat in front of the fire, roasting chestnuts in the ashes, and peeling them for everyone. He was kept so busy that he never got any himself!

chucky egg · Post by **chucky egg** » 11 Dec 2007, 18:13

What a lovely vision Mo!
We use a skewer to pierce a hole in the shell. That does the trick. We also learned from experience. It was b***y funny though! )t'

Chucky Egg

melons · Post by **melons** » 11 Dec 2007, 18:46

Cheers folks, I managed to scrape it off everything & scrub the oven out, what a flammin mess )j;

Lets see what round two brings )j;

Post by **wendy** » 11 Dec 2007, 18:53

Yep.
My Dad used to cut a cross in them, and then on the fire. I have never roasted one in my life. Don't like them cooked.
Wendy

seahorse · Post by **seahorse** » 11 Dec 2007, 19:56

Last year I bought an antique brass chestnut roaster, it sits in the log burner beautifully and keeps all the bits in plus any errant explosive ones. I cant say that I really like them , but Hey! it is christmas! A time of indulgences and strange tastes!
The Colonel is now beautifully corn fed and I'm sure he is getting bigger, and , no we are not fattening him up for xmas )hlp>

.
He just looks splendid in his christmas plumage. )t(

.

Citrine · Post by **Citrine** » 12 Dec 2007, 09:05

...HMM, not had good experiences with chestnuts myself - used to eat them a lot, until one winter, whilst at my Grandmas, i was blissfully munching away on 'em (uncooked) and I got a rather bitter taste - yup, you've guessed it, found half a maggot in there! (Obviously, Id scoffed the first half!!)
On closer inspection on the floor, there were absolutely loads of maggots! Must have been a bad batch, but I dont go near them now!
However, I would agree with everyone else, and say prick 'em!

melons · Post by **melons** » 12 Dec 2007, 09:17

That ahppened to me with a bag of Pistacios nuts & a raspberry once, yoik, I've never eaten either since sile}

WILDCHERRY · Post by **WILDCHERRY** » 13 Dec 2007, 08:17

In the little Spanish hill village where I live in there are lots of very old chestnut trees and at the beginning of November they hold a Castanas (Chestnut) Fiesta. The school children pick the Chestnuts in the day. In the evening the locals light fires out in the street (on the floor) and roast the chestnuts in long handled skillet like pans, then pass them around to bystanders. Its a lovely night out and a very old tradition here. Saves the mess in the oven too!

chucky egg · Post by **chucky egg** » 13 Dec 2007, 13:42

Wildcherry that sounds beautiful. Helps with comunity bonding.
Chucky Egg