It's true - cooking disasters happen to everyone. After literally getting a blister from scoring chestnuts, I popped them in the oven and waited for what I thought would be a nice new holiday tradition. I followed a recipe exactly and experienced the disappointment that a bad recipe can bring. I had never attempted to roast chestnuts before (most Southerners have not) so I thought I would give it a try. How hard could it be?
After just a few minutes, the chestnuts were burned, a few exploded in the oven, and my house smelled awful. After cleaning the oven and opening the windows, I watched even the squirrels pass over the chestnuts that were now scattered in the yard. Nice.
Ever cooked chestnuts in a pan on top of the stove? In Istanbul, where I live now, this is how they do it. I have watched them before, they cook them on medium to low heat, stir them occasionally until they pop open (I think but then i have never made them...just watched). Here, they even cook them on the street and then sell them by the bag or one by one.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I really like your blog. Its nice to be reminded of home and my southern roots as I am living half way around the world. It makes me grateful and proud to be a southerner with a culture that doesn't exist anywhere else in the world!
:) Katy