The other day I found myself on the glittering, bustling streets of midtown Manhattan with some major hunger pangs and without my usual stash of snacks in my handbag. As I scanned the area for a deli to drop in for a yogurt or some fruit, I stumbled upon the most wonderful holiday snack, roasted chestnuts! Right there, from a street vendor, for two dollars a bag. I smelled them before I spotted them. What a heartwarming aroma on a cold day! Peeling and eating them was just as satisfying. They were moist, toasty, sweet, and nutty. They made me feel like a kid again.
Turns out chestnuts are healthy too. They are pretty low in calories, at about 100 calories for 5 chestnuts, and they are rich in healthy protective polyphenols (a kind of antioxidant) and are a good source of Vitamin C.
You don’t have to wait to stumble upon a NYC vendor selling them. They are easy to prepare at home. Using a sharp knife, cut an X through their shell, then roast them on a baking tray at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes, and enjoy! And while you are munching, you might want to put on some Nat King Cole for added effect.
