What is the origin of roasting chestnuts?

Roasted chestnuts are a Christmas staple, but how did they become so? Life's Little Mysteries investigates the holiday nut's origins. read more

No one knows the origin of roasting chestnuts. The fruit can be peeled and eaten raw, but it can be somewhat astringent, especially if the pellicle is not removed. Another method of eating the fruit involves roasting, which does not require peeling. read more

Roasting chestnuts dates back centuries, when people turned up the heat on these nuts for more than just festive fare. Chestnuts became a staple in the mountainous regions around the Mediterranean Sea thousands of years ago, in part because most cereal grains couldn't grow in these areas. read more

On the island of Corsica, where chestnuts feature prominently in the everyday cuisine, an old tradition says to prepare 22 different dishes from chestnuts and serve them at a wedding feast. Chestnut Nutrition. Chestnuts contain twice as much starch as potatoes, but unlike other nuts, are relatively low in fat. read more