Nov 22, 2010

Feeling Kind of (Chest) Nutty!

First things first, we need a laugh. Remember yesterday when I said that Amanda and I went downtown to take pictures for her friend? While I was snapping shots of Longitude Lane, Amanda took a picture of me. Not only does this picture make me chuckle because I look like a midget, but PLEASE focus your eyes on the lady on the street.  photog
#1 – What is her face?
#2 – Her breasts are touching her belly button. Not okay. If you know this woman, tell her to buy a bra. Moving along…
After dinner last night, my new roommate Lucy asked if I wanted to roast chestnuts. I immediately thought of the Christmas song that goes, “Chestnuts roasting on an open fire…” but giggled because we had to use the oven. I had seen chestnuts being roasted over an open fire (literally) in Rome, but never bought any so I was excited to try them. DSC_1161 Before roasting, Lucy told me that you have to cut an x into the shell.DSC_1163 She showed me how to do a few, then I gave it a go. DSC_1164We scored the whole bag of nuts and roasted them at 400*.. DSC_1175 Twenty minutes later, the shells had peeled open and the actual nut was revealed.DSC_1177 Aren’t they precious? They were ridiculously hot, but I couldn’t resist peeling one open right away.DSC_1185 The first thing I noticed was that they were very starchy! I did some research later and found some interesting facts on chestnuts:
  • Chestnuts can be eaten raw, but can also be roasted, boiled, candied, steamed, or grilled.
  • The texture is similar to that of a potato with a sweet and nutty flavor.
  • Chestnuts can be dried and milled into flour.
  • Chestnuts contain no cholesterol, and very little fat (mostly unsaturated) and no gluten.
  • They are the only “nuts” that contain Vitamin C; 100g contains about 65% of your daily requirement.
Roasting chestnuts was not only festive, but healthy! DSC_1180 My mind is already brewing with thoughts of grinding up some chestnut butter…Has anyone done this? What is your favorite nut to roast or make nut butter with?

38 comments:

  1. So cute. Chestnuts roasting on an open fire......

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  2. I love chestnuts! I had them for the first time last year--you're making me want to roast my own! Yum.

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  3. Haha point #2 had me laughing. I love that you just roasted chestnuts because we got some and I've never tried roasting them before! Now I'm not so afraid of how they will turn out :)

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  4. I never tried roasting them before- now I'm curious! I love making pecan butter:)

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  5. yum!! are these where water chestnuts come from? I love those!!!

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  6. Hahhahahahahha...that women needs some help from Victoria's Secret stat. I've never had a chestnut. How fun.

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  7. I totally plan on doing something with chestnuts for Thanksgiving! Love.

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  8. Hahahaha omg. Somebody buy homegirl a Push Up!

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  9. #1 - Her face is judgy
    #2 - Wowzers. I'm going to say a little prayer RIGHT NOW that my twins don't ever look South like that. The girls should either be looking straight ahead (focused and determined boobles...Yes, "boobles"), or they should be looking up at God (hopeful boobles).

    True fact: I have never had a chestnut, but the color I dye my hair is chestnut. Coincidence? No. Not at all.

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  10. Haha you just made me laugh so hard! That was so funny!

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  11. I noticed the woman in the back before you pointed her out. lol. I've never eaten chestnuts, something to add to the list to try.

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  12. I seriously looove chestnuts! Let me know if you try making butter with them :)

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  13. I had a roasted chestnut and kind of thought they were mealy, but I like the flavor in chestnut stuffing and other recipes where they are hidden, so I would be curious about the chestnut butter.

    And I'm just going to say that picture makes me so glad I decided not to breastfeed. Nuff said.

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  14. i had a lil LOL moment with #2. you've got to hand it to her...she knows how to match her colors. yellow sweater, yellow shirt, yellowish denim. poor lady.

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  15. you crack me up. thanks for that laugh and somebody get that lady a BRA for the love of god.

    ok, your new roommate sound like a doll. she had me at roasting chestnuts!

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  16. I was looking through Thanksgiving recipes today and saw a stuffing that calls for chestnuts. I'm intrigued and want to try them now!

    Love your sweater! (I have the same one!) :-)

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  17. LOL - That lady was like "What is this crazy girl taking a picture of?!"
    Loved point #2 - LOL ;)

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  18. Ok that lady seriously needed a bra. If she has kids they should feel horrible they let their mother look like that! Never had chestnuts but they look so cute!

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  19. My parents just got home from Italy and my mom is talking about roasting chestunuts this winter. She even bought a chestnut roasting pan for our fireplace. I guess it's a Roman thing??

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  20. No bra lady makes me want to vom. Also, call me next time Lucy has a cute Christmassy idea, I must participate!!

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  21. Heading to NYC today. Can't wait to get some on from the street corners!

    TJ - Dressordine.com

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  22. Whenever I hear that song, I think of that joke with the punchline "Chet's nuts roasting on an open fire" haha!

    I don't think I've ever had chestnuts though! I wonder if I'm allergic to them...

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  23. Cool!! First of all, I never knew what a chestnut was, how to eat them, or that they exited anywhere else other than that catchy Christmas tune :)

    I need to try these out for the holidays!

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  24. Haha I am not sure if I would have noticed that lady had you not said anything--how funny though!! And I've never roasted chesnuts, I actually don't think I've ever eaten one to be honest!

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  25. oh my gosh that photo is hilarious! what is that woman thinking? not good.
    ps. I ate at mustard seed last night and thought of you!

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  26. love the new layout, and yummmmmm chestnuts sound so good! what is with that woman's face!

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  27. OMG, I needed a good laugh! Your comments are hilarious!

    I have never even thought to roast chestnuts, regardless of the song! I will have to give this a try though!!

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  28. Those are cute! I love that you try new things and enlighten the rest of us. Keep it up! and I love your new background!

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  29. OMG, LOVE the new look! SO CUTE!! :)

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  30. That is so cute and festive! Yum!

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  31. I love the new look to your blog! Threw me off at first though!

    OMG I can't stop looking at that lady...holy balls, please wear a bra when you leave the house. Thanks, love, America.

    Never had a chestnut before, but I like the sound of them :)

    jen
    http://jenslosinit.blogspot.com/

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  32. That lady looks hilarious! If I ever sport that look when I'm her age I hope someone shoots me!! LOL BTW, I think roasted chestnuts are yucky....

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  33. LOVE this new design - really fun!

    CUTE outfit hot pants:)

    I had no idea how to tackle these nuts, they actually look amazing!

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  34. Totally a tourist. They always dress in one color. Maybe it allows for lighter, more efficient packing. Not packing a bra would help with that, too.

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  35. I've never bought chesnuts before, looks like an interesting process though.

    I love love love making fun of people in the background on my pictures, it's free entertainment. Speaking of backgrounds, diggin the new one!

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  36. Great post! I had no idea chestnuts were such a healthy food. I can't wait to try this myself.

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