On Chestnuts

"While the horse chestnut is a relative newcomer, not arriving in Europe until the 16th century, the sweet chestnut, originating in Asia Minor, has been with us since the earliest classical times. Both species have medical healing properties though conkers are useless in the kitchen. For the sweet chestnut, Ria Loohuizen includes about 50 recipes for things as varied as terrine of chestnuts and wild mushrooms, a breast of duck with chestnuts, pancakes made with chestnut flour, and the famous Italian chestnut cake castagnaccio. She also gives useful hints about roasting nuts on an open fire,…