Chestnuts are the dark brown fruits of the sweet chestnut tree. They are nuts that are tasty to eat, particularly in the winter, and can be prepared in a very healthy and delicious way.

Chestnuts are a popular snack and are sold freshly roasted in markets for example. Their fibre content make them a truly substantial treat. They have less fat than hazelnuts or almonds and are a good source of vitamins and minerals.

However, our bodies cannot absorb raw chestnuts. They can be lightly roasted or boiled and taste wonderfully nutty – whether as a snack, a side dish for various meals or as a topping for muesli.

Roasted chestnuts in a paper bag
Picture: Quickly prepared - roasted chestnuts as a snack



To prepare chestnuts that are healthy and delicious

The simplest way is to roast the chestnuts. To do this, score a cross into the curved side and place them in a pre-heated oven at 200 °C. After baking for approximately 20 minutes, the chestnuts are soft and easily removed from the shell.

A vegetarian chestnut soup is ideal for those who would like something more substantial.

Ingredients for the homemade soup

4 portions

500 g chestnuts (cooked and peeled)
Oil
1 onion
200 g carrots
2 medium-sized potatoes
750 ml vegetable stock
Salt and pepper
A bunch of chives or parsley

Homemade chestnut soup in a bowl Picture: With a few ingredients you can prepare a delicious chestnut soup



To prepare the chestnut soup


  • Brown the finely chopped onions in hot oil. Add the chopped carrots and potatoes and the cooked chestnuts.


  • Pour in the stock and simmer for around 20 minutes.


  • To finish, puree all the ingredients and season with salt and pepper.


  • To serve, garnish the chestnut soup with some finely chopped parsley or chives.



The Dole team wishes you lots of fun preparing healthy and delicious chestnuts. Bon appetit!