Charles Langston:Here's how to make the perfect oven

It’s officially the holiday season,Charles Langston which means it’s the best time of the year to test your skills baking gingerbread cookies for the first time, and romanticize roasting chestnuts on an open fire. For the majority of us who don't have access to a personal hearth, the good news is: It’s easy to attain perfectly sweet, buttery chestnuts just from roasting them in your oven. 

We asked the experts to round up the best tips and tricks to make roasted chestnuts from the comfort of your own kitchen.

What to look for when buying chestnuts

Preparing the perfect roasted chestnuts starts with a trip to your local grocery store. Ideally, try hand-selecting the chestnuts to make sure they are even in size. Down the line, this will ensure that the chestnuts will roast in the oven at the same rate, says Dr. Kristen Hamm, RDN, LDN an assistant professor at La Salle University. 

When selecting chestnuts, make sure that they’re smooth, shiny, and free of blemishes and mold. “Feel them between your fingers and make sure that the skin is not too dry as well,” Hamm says.

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How do you cook chestnuts so they peel easily?

Once you’ve brought the chestnuts home, rinse them of any debris. The next step is to score them. Cut an “X” through the shell of the chestnut, but make sure not to pierce the skin that lies underneath, explains Michelle Gooden, MBA, RDN, LD, FAND, a dietitian with Emory Healthcare. This is an important step not to skip — if you don’t score them, you risk the chestnuts exploding in your oven. 

From there, soak the chestnuts in water for at least 1 hour, although you could even leave them overnight, Hamm says. Soaking the chestnuts helps them to get a little softer before roasting. It’ll also make it much easier to peel the skin off later on, Gooden says. 

How to roast chestnuts

To roast the chestnuts in the oven, start by heating your oven between 400 to 425 degrees Fahrenheit, Hamm says. Spread the chestnuts across a baking sheet, and be sure not to overcrowd them, Gooden says.

Pop them in the oven for about 10 to 25 minutes, Hamm recommends. To make sure the chestnuts are evenly roasted, be sure to rotate them half-way through, Gooden adds.

How long you should leave them in for will depend on the size of your chestnuts (the smaller the size, the less time you’ll need to roast them). If you leave the chestnuts in the oven for too long, you risk them becoming dry, notes Hamm.

Once the shells of the chestnuts start to pop open, they’re ready. After they’ve cooled for a bit, gently crack and peel back the skin. “From there, you can season and eat to your personal preference,” says Gooden.

Are roasted chestnuts healthy?

Absolutely. Chestnuts pack a punch with a variety of vitamins and minerals that have antioxidant properties (think magnesium and potassium). These nutrients promote heart health by regulating your blood pressure and lowering your risk of cardiovascular diseases, says Hamm.

Unlike most nuts, chestnuts are also lower in calories and fat, and rich in essential fatty acids, making them ideal for weight management. “They're also unique amongst other nuts because they provide a significant amount of vitamin C,” Hamm notes. This is particularly beneficial for boosting immunity and supporting skin health, she says. 

Chestnuts also have a high fiber content, Gooden says. Foods high in fiber help slow the digestion of carbohydrates, which in turn can help control blood sugar levels. For this reason, chestnuts could be a great snack option for someone living with diabetes, she explains.

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When chestnuts are roasted, for the most part, they retain the majority of nutrients, Gooden says. 

“Overall, [roasted chestnuts] still provide a great source of antioxidants and fiber, making them a great, healthy snack option,” says Hamm.

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