Chestnuts

Chestnuts, like many of our best ingredients, were first introduced to the UK by the Romans, and are a familiar sight in British woodlands, particularly in the south. In the UK, the chestnut season runs from September to January, and they are, of course, most used around Christmas, roasted and often dished up with brussels sprouts. There are many uses for chestnuts though, savoury and sweet – they can be blended into soup, served in salad, added to stews, puréed and made into mousse, and candied as marrons glacés. You can buy them whole and fresh from farmers’ markets and larger supermarkets throughout November and December, or cooked, peeled and vacuumpacked or tinned. How should you be preparing chestnuts this month? Start with our recipe for posh bubble and squeak at Omagazine.com.