Chestnuts are most commonly associated with the festive season and roasting on an open fire, but there is so much more that can be done with this nut in a number of chestnut recipes.

With their sweet earthy flavour, chestnuts are a perfect complement to a wide variety of ingredients including everything from fruit and vegetables to chocolate or meat. For instance, a chocolate and chestnut cake is heavenly while no one can resist a creamy risotto sprinkled with smoked chestnut flour.

Chestnut season is brief but don’t panic, chestnuts needn't just be enjoyed fresh from their prickly casing. In fact they can found whole and peeled in cans or vacuum packed, dried, pureed or in powder.  Just remember that fresh chestnuts must always be cooked prior to eating.

Many of these chesnut recipes below call for fresh chestnuts that are roasted or boiled prior to further inclusion in the recipe.

Tasty Chestnut Recipes for Fall

ROAST WILD BOAR WITH CHESTNUTS

Chesnuts and roasts are meant to go together.

After pre-boiling the chestnuts they are placed around the roasted boar in this comforting autumnal dish. Get the recipe.

Pumpkin with Chestnuts and Onions

Pumpkin, chestnuts, thyme and onions are fried up together in this tasty fall side dish.

Here is the easy recipe.

BRUSSEL SPROUTS WITH CHESTNUTS

Whole chestnuts mixed in with Brussels sprouts for a classic Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish.

Find the recipe here.

Chesnut Flour Ravioli

The perfect pasta recipe for gluten-free foodies.

Chestnut flour has a hearty taste and pairs well with the creamy artichoke filling in this recipe.

SQUAB ON A CHESTNUT BRANCH

Chef Eneko Atxa, from Azurmendi restaurant in Spain devised this interesting recipe.

It will take some creative resourcing to find the ingredients, including volcanic salt and purple corn, but the result will be well worth the effort.

Learn how to make this gourmet chestnut recipe.

Creamy Risotto and Smoked Chesnuts

This interesting recipe will teach you how to make chestnut powder, if you haven't already, which is liberally dusted onto the finished risotto.

Here is the must-try recipe.

Japanese Chestnut Rice

This comforting Japanese recipe is very easy to make.

It calls for two types of short grain rice, boiled chestnuts, sesame seeds and a sprinkle of salt.

CHOCOLATE CHESTNUT CAKE

When it comes to desserts chocolate and chestnuts sing.

For this cake the chestnuts are roasted whole before being cut up into chunky pieces and blended into the batter. Find the recipe here.

Christmas Yule Log

A brandy and chesnut cream filling make this an unforgettable Christmas dessert.

Get the must-try recipe now.

Mont Blanc

This classic French dessert gets oomph from a delicate puree of chestnuts and a touch of vanilla.

Learn how to make it.

Candied Chestnuts

There is so much joy in eating candied chestnuts.

You can easily make them at home but you'll need to be aware that the recipe is a four day process (it's well worth it, we swear!). Learn how to make them.

For more inspiration this autumn check out our catalogue of fall recipes. 

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