It’s still winter.
Yes.
Sigh.
Things could be worse, I suppose.
There are many, many a peep who adore the cold, blustery snow and icy air of wintertime.❄️ I’m not one of those.
However, I do LOVE soup weather. And chestnuts!
I’ll never forget the first time I encountered freshly toasted chestnuts:
Aix en Provence. October. Farmer’s Market. FREEZING. Roasted Chestnut 🌰Stand.
“Can I try just one?”
“NO!!!”
I paid the price and took the entire bag into my icicle forming fingers.
I took one bite – and then could not stop!!
Wowza! These things are amazing!
I’m sad I cannot find freshly roasted chestnuts (toasted) in my Colorado geography at Christmas-time, or any time of year. But, I can purchase those canned or cry-vacced gems on Amazon. That will have to be the next best thing – in order to create a cozy, comforting, Winter Chestnut Soup.
Try adding a little spicy Italian sausage for extra protein – or not.
Suit yourself. Warm yourself. Soothe yourself. Food has so many medicinal properties – more about that…
Winter Chestnut Soup
Winter Chestnut Soup
2 Tbs. butter
1 large shallot, trimmed and finely diced
sea salt and pepper
1 cup yellow potatoes, chopped
1 1/2 cups roasted chestnuts, chopped + 3-4 for garnishing
4 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup heavy cream + drizzle for serving
1-2 tsp. lemon olive oil (drizzled for serving)
1 cup sweet Italian sausage, sliced and sautéed (optional)
Melt the butter in a large stock pot or Dutch oven, over medium heat.
Add the shallot and plenty of salt and pepper.
Sauté until crispy.
Add the potato and cook until soft, coated with the melted butter.
Next, add the chopped chestnuts. Coat with butter and seasoning.
Add the broth and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat to a simmer.
Once the potatoes are soft, remove from heat and puree with a hand-blender (or, in batches, with a traditional blender) until smooth. Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if desired.
Stir in heavy cream.
Serve in bowls, with additional chestnuts and drizzled with cream and lemon oil, and Italian sausage (if desired).
Yummy, YUMMY, YUMMY!!!! Soothes the heart and the soul.
Sweet, savory, salty, and a little spicy!!!
