Do people really roast chestnuts on an open fire and do they really pop pop pop?

Question

please send details on roasting chestnuts because I might just try it.

Answer 1

Instructions
STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. STEP 2: Clean off chestnuts. STEP 3: Use a sharp paring knife to cut an X into one side of each chestnut, or prick chestnuts with a fork to allow steam to escape. STEP 4: Arrange chestnuts on a baking sheet or in a shallow pan, with the cut or pricked sides up. STEP 5: Roast in oven for 15 to 25 minutes, or until chestnuts are tender and easy to peel. STEP 6: Peel nuts when they are cool enough to handle, and enjoy. Tips & Warnings
Use dry, firm chestnuts; soft chestnuts might be rotted.
Try a little salt on your chestnuts.
Be sure to remove the inner skins as well as the shells.

VERY IMPORTANT PRECAUTION:

Chestnuts that have not been cut or pricked to allow steam to escape may explode, even after being removed from the heat.

Answer 2

First cut an "X" into the flat end of the chestnut - use a grate or chestnut pan (it's like a flat wire basket with a top that was used in the olden days but can still be found) the pop pop is more like a crackle crackle as the skin burst open to get to the nut inside. The "X" allows the moisture out of the nut and makes it easier to peel.

Answer 3

Yes they really do roast chestnuts. Italians have a tradition that every Christmas we have chestnuts. They are bought then when making them you kind of make a criss cross cut on the shell and put them in the oven at about 350 until the cuts spilt and you can see part of the chestnut lightly browning.... Of course you put them on a pan...

You have to literally have eardrums that pick up pin drops in a crowded room to hear them pop, but we have heard them pop if you put a pan of chestnuts on a pan over as open fire.... The pop is the shell expanding back... it cracks...

This is something my dad insists that we keep up as a tradition. We're from Italy so it's part of our Christmas dinner/feast...

Hope this helps...

Answer 4

Yes and yes! My dad would roast them when I was a kid.

Here is some information for you. Try it out! They're really good.

http://www.recipesource.com/misc/non-food/gifts/00/rec0020.html