Hands up how many of you have regularly eaten chestnuts during the Australia chestnut season in Autumn each year? I’m I the only one with my hand up?
It’s definitely an Italian thing. Each Autumn, My dad would bring home a case of castagne (chestnuts) that he would roast under the oven grill and then peel for us to eat. We usually only ate them grilled this way… but they are definitely much more versatile than you can imagine, you just need to know how to use them.
In fact if you ever get the opportunity you absolutely have to go chestnut picking – being from WA there are growers in Manjimup where this is a possibility. It is perhaps the most fun hunting and gathering you can do. Why? Have a look at how they grow here.
Chestnuts are typically used in savoury dishes so when I was recently fortunate enough to be given a small bag of chestnuts, I knew a dessert was on the cards. Chestnuts are great as they can be eaten raw, cooked, slow cooked, roasted, pureed, boiled, ground… and the list goes on. They definitely have a unique flavour unlike any other nut and can add a whole new flavour profile to your dishes.
I think often the problem people have when they see them in the shops is not knowing how to prepare them as the shell appears so imposing. One way I like to use Chestnuts is in the form of chestnut meal. You’ll find the method for making chestnut meal below.
How to make fresh Chestnut Meal
1. Score each chestnut with a knife, cutting an ‘X’ shape on the flat side.
2. Preheat your oven grill then place chestnuts on a tray and pop under the grill. Grill until chestnut case has darkened and browned then turn chestnuts over and brown other side.
3. Remove from grill and wrap in a tea towel for a few minutes.
4. Peel the casing and fluffy inner casing (apparently called the pellicle) off and you will be left with the edible chestnut kernel – which you can eat now at this stage.
5. Place the chestnut kernels in a food processor and pulse until the chestnuts resemble a meal.
So, what to do with your Chestnut Meal now? Well, it is just like almond meal and can be used in baking for those with Coeliac disease or gluten intolerance.
Why not try my Gluten Free Chestnut and Chocolate cake?
It’s a great recipe for those gluten intolerant friends who are sick of all the same gluten free cake options. I served it to a group of new friends recently who were all super surprised when I told them it was gluten free (best. compliment. ever).
Gluten Free Chestnut and Chocolate Cake
60g caster sugar
1 1/4 cup chestnut meal
Break dark chocolate into pieces and place in a glass bowl. Melt chocolate pieces in the microwave in short bursts stirring until melted. Set aside
Separate the 6 egg whites and yolks. Whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form.
In a separate bowl cream together the butter, sugar and egg yolks. Then add melted chocolate and 1 cup of the chestnut meal and stir till well combined.
Add a small amount of the egg white to the chocolate mixture and mix until combined. Add the remaining egg white mixture to the chocolate mixture and fold through gently until just combined (you don’t want to work the egg white too much or the cake won’t be light and fluffy).
Transfer mixture to a lined 20cm springform pan and place in the oven for 40 – 60 minutes (or until an inserted skewer comes out clean).
Remove from oven and set aside to cool. Remove from springform pan and serve topped with the remaining 1/4 cup chestnut meal.
Chew Town would like to thank Australian Chestnuts for the sample of fresh Australian chestnuts used in this recipe. It brought back wonderful nostalgic memories of my childhood eating chestnuts with my father!
You know I've never tried a chestnut before? I need to get out more! Looks like a beauty of cake.
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This looks divine and perfect for the cooler weather!
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Beautiful – I have to try roasting and making my own chestnut flour when the cool weather comes back in the Fall.
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This cake… why is it so easy when it looks restaurant worthy? I've only had steamed chestnuts (it's an asian thing) and/or water chestnuts from a can. Never have I had it fresh like this.
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I know EXACTLY what you mean about the same old gluten free options. Flourless Orange cake, anyone? This looks like a brilliant alternative!
I tasted my first chestnut last year and love them! You've just reminded me that there is a container in my fridge at this very moment… looks like I'll be roasting chestnuts today ;D
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yumyum! i just helped mum peel 2kgs worth of chestnuts, i think i should claim some back!
I'm yet to embrace the chestnut season. I may not have embraced it all that firmly in the past but now that you've reminded me of these velvety nuts, I need to get creative. Cos I love me some velvety nuts.
Oh yum! I bet it tasted amazing! In France we eat a lot of chestnuts during the cooler months, we grill them in the fire place. We also eat a lot of chestnut cream (ie: with crepes, with natural yoghurt etc.) and also often eat roasted chestnut with roasted meat, especially with Christmas turkey.
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I love chestnuts roasted but have never thought to turn them into meal for a cake! Thanks for the inspiration – this is just stunning!
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They sell chestnut flour in my local healthfood shop – my fingers have been itching to make something with it for quite a while. Now I know what to make! This cales looks amazing!
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I confess I do very little with chestnuts, and almost nothing with chestnut meal (even though I know all of chestnut meal's virtues). Really excellent post here. Great cake, but just good info about chestnuts, too. Love the food styling in the photos. Good stuff – thanks.
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I do love playing with chestnuts in the cooler months. Have even roasted them over the open fire when it was cold enough to put it one. I have never been very creative sadly and never ever thought of making meal. You are suck a clever duck. Love the sound of this chocolate cake.
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I love chestnuts and am discovering more recipes every season. I've written a memoir about chestnuts and include a great recipe for chestnut crepes (via Mario Batali). http://ambradambra.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/that-…
I love chestnuts though I might not be as dedicated as you in peeling them and crushing them. I might see if I can find some meal ready to use and roast it a little instead. The cake looks really good.
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Looks delicious! I would love to try some. I love roasted chestnuts and I love chocolate cake so this should be a winner for me.
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How long would this take to make?
and what is a good alternative to chestnuts where I live we are not able to get them
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Hi Carli, It should work well with Hazelnuts or Almonds instead of chestnuts. If you use bought hazelnut meal or almond meal, then it should take 30 minutes to prepare and 40-60 minutes to bake.
Well the proof is in the pudding they say and I now have to wait half hour until it’s cooked. Actually no I don’t as I have the bowl’s to scrape out or chip off and the chocolate has hardened. How fab! The raw mixture is amazing so the cake is going to be off the scale!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
have you tried making it with ready ground chestnut flour? Am wondering if it would work similarly or if you might need to adjust anything?