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Cucina di Castagne

Cucina di Castagne

Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 40 minutes, Time to Stand: 10 minutes, Total Time: 1 hour, Ease of Cooking: Easy, Servings: 4, Calories: Approximately 250 calories per serving, Cost of Ingredients: Approximately $15-20, Cuisine: Italian, Course: Main Course or Side Dish.
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Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Wooden spoon
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Peeler
  • Colander

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups of fresh chestnuts or 1 cup of canned chestnuts
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic minced
  • 1 carrot diced
  • 1 celery stalk diced
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 4 cups of vegetable or chicken broth
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary for garnish
  • Optional: Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions
 

  • Preparing the Chestnuts
  • If using fresh chestnuts, make a small incision in the skin of each chestnut to prevent them from exploding while cooking.
  • Boil the chestnuts in water for about 10 minutes. Once cooled, peel the shells and the inner skin. If using canned chestnuts, drain and rinse them under cold water.
  • Sautéing the Vegetables
  • In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
  • Add the chopped onion, garlic, carrot, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 5-7 minutes.
  • Cooking the Chestnuts
  • Add the peeled chestnuts to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
  • Pour in the broth, ensuring that the chestnuts are fully submerged.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Simmering
  • Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  • Blending the Dish (Optional)
  • For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to puree some of the chestnuts and vegetables directly in the pot. Alternatively, transfer half the mixture to a blender, blend until smooth, and return it to the pot.
  • Serving
  • Allow the dish to stand for about 10 minutes before serving.
  • Serve warm, garnished with fresh herbs and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.