Expert: Suzette - 12/8/2001

Question
I never cooked with chestnuts before.  I bought some on our recent visit to Italy and wish to prepare something very special with it.  It is still raw and in its shells.  Regards. Stella

Answer
Hi Stella!

Since you were recently in Italy, I'm sending you two italian recipes for chestnuts - one for chestnut jam and the other for a chestnut and bean soup. Hope you enjoy them!

Chestnuts jam

Ingredients:
For each 5 lb of chestnuts pulp:
4 lb. sugar
300 ml. water
some cinnamon
liquor (rum, grape or cognac)- optional

Get rid of the hard skin of the chestnuts and boil them in a slightly salted water. Get rid of the film, break chestnuts and reduce them into a pulp.

Meanwhile, prepare syrup by heating water with sugar on a low heat. Bring to a boil and then add the chestnuts, blend. Remove from heat, stir well. Simmer for 30/35 minutes, always stirring.

Pour some or your favourite liquor, stir and remove from stove. Let cool before putting it jars.


Chestnuts and beans soup

Ingredients:
1/2 lb.beans
1 lb. peeled chestnuts
1 stick celery, chopped
1/2 onion, chopped
4 oz. oil
Pinch of salt
Some water
Toasted home made bread

Leave the beans soaking overnight, changing the water at least two or three times. In the morning, fry the onion celery in the oil.

Using another large saucepan, simmer the chestnuts and beans in salted water for at least three hours, stirring occasionally. Removing from the stove and add the onions and celery mixture. Leave bubbling until sauce and contents are blended. Serve in bowls with some toasted bread.

Suzette