» italian winter http://italyville.com the result of growing up Italian Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:28:40 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Castagne Roasting on an open fire… or oven http://italyville.com/2008/01/castagne-roasting-on-an-open-fire-or-oven/ http://italyville.com/2008/01/castagne-roasting-on-an-open-fire-or-oven/#comments Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:11:00 +0000 Joe http://italyville.wordpress.com/2008/01/22/castagne-roasting-on-an-open-fire-or-oven/ I forgot to add one of my favorite things to the list below… actually I probably forgot many but one that I truly love and miss is the smell of roasting castagne (chestnuts) in the winter. The scene of the salesman camped out with his roaster on the corner as people bustled by to finish some [...]]]>

I forgot to add one of my favorite things to the list below… actually I probably forgot many but one that I truly love and miss is the smell of roasting castagne (chestnuts) in the winter. The scene of the salesman camped out with his roaster on the corner as people bustled by to finish some last minute Christmas shopping or gather ingredients for dinner would always make me smile. The small paper bags (like the ones used for penny candy) they would put them in were perfect. The robust castagne were always the biggest I had ever seen and they selected them one by one as they counted them out to show they were giving you your money’s worth. I would buy a bag and sit to watch people go by or stroll slowly through the city center bundled in my coat and scarf. Simple and brilliant.

I just had to make some last night thinking about it. They are rather expensive at the grocery store ($5.99/lb) but well worth it. They are simple to make and here’s how:
1- preheat the oven at 350 degrees
2- make a cut into each castagna with a sharp knife. This is important because if you don’t the castagne will explode from the heat. Think of a kernel of corn but much larger and you don’t get popcorn as a result.
3- Place the castagne on a cookie sheet and put them in the oven for 1 hour
DONE
I know it’s not as romantic as roasting them on an open fire (even though we did have a fire burning) but they are yummy and make your whole house smell delicious. Enjoy!

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