Roasted Chestnuts at Home (Kestane Kebap)

We wash 1 kg of chestnuts and score them with the help of a knife. We soak them in water for 1–2 hours. We drain the water, then arrange the chestnuts on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. We bake them in the oven at 200°C (400°F) until they are browned on top. (If you have a chestnut scorer, you can score them much more easily.)

About This Recipe

Chestnuts grow on forest trees belonging to the beech family (Fagaceae). The word "chestnut" is said to derive from Kastania, a city in ancient Greece. Their seeds are widely consumed across Southern Europe and Southwest and East Asia. During the Middle Ages, chestnuts were used as a source of carbohydrates because sufficient wheat flour was not available. Chestnuts have held an important place in human nutrition since ancient times. Researchers note that people living in the Alpine region in early times spent at least 4 months on a diet heavy in chestnuts. It is said that chestnut consumption in this region reached 150 kg per person per year. For this reason, the chestnut is called the poor man's bread, and its tree the bread tree. It is a staple of many cuisines, most notably French cuisine...  It is used in the preparation of meat dishes, various salads, and even pilaf. If you like, you can check out our Chestnut Pilaf recipe... 

In Turkey, chestnuts are most commonly grown in the province of Aydın. The Aegean Region ranks first in production. Chestnuts exported from Aydın are especially high in quality. After Aydın, İzmir, Kastamonu, and Sinop are among the other provinces that stand out in chestnut production. In our province of Bursa, chestnuts are made into candied chestnuts. They are also used in chestnut purée, chestnut paste, and pastries. When ground, chestnuts become a wonderfully sweet flour, similar to almond and hazelnut flours. Some researchers recommend chestnut flour for preparing sweets and soups suitable for children, due to the allergenic effect that lactose in cow's milk can have on children. Chestnut flour is also used in milk pudding-type products, bread making, and the preparation of flake-type products (such as corn flakes).

The seeds of the tree are actually referred to as chestnut fruit. The chestnut is an organic agricultural product grown entirely under natural conditions, without the use of harmful substances such as agricultural pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. Chestnuts are also delicious when roasted over an open fire. Additionally, although not widely known, they are also consumed boiled in water. However, they are most commonly prepared as "kestane kebap" (roasted chestnuts), and that is the recipe we have prepared for you here...