Where are all the Chestnuts?

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Every year I anxiously await Chestnuts season. This year through Facebook I realized I was not alone. The hunt for chestnuts on Facebook the past few weeks has become a popular post in the daily news feed, and I too had been secretly on the hunt. Last week after combing the aisle on my third trip to the grocery store, I asked the produce manager, when they would be receiving a shipment of chestnuts. He chuckled, and said, “I wish I knew, that has been the question of the week around here,  and everyone has been asking for them.” After apologizing for not having them, he kindly shared a little inside information with me about this years chestnut crop and the rumors swirling around the produce world about this years chestnut crops not yeilding a plentiful harvest this year. I not sure why that is, and maybe someone can share why, but I though I pass the info along to all those who are also wondering why they are so hard to find this season. I was lucky to find some locally grown Chestnuts at Applenton Farms the other day. I felt like I had hit the jackpot! They were petti in size and absolutely scrumptious ! I plan to keep a stash on hand in my “spezza” room for my family to enjoy this holiday season and I encourage you to do the same. I know my family would go nuts without their roasted chestnuts on the holiday table! My Grandmother Felicia’s recipe for Roasted Chestnuts,  “Castagni Arrustui,”  is in my cookbook “Gifts of Gold In A Sicilian Kitchen with Sista Felicia Harvest” on page 202.

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cooked chestnut

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Roasted Chestnuts make a delicious fall snack!