The large chestnut tree beyond my backyard has started to shed its autumn fruit. Plenty for the squirrels to cache.
Will you just be feeding the squirrels or will you roast a few for yourself? I keep thinking of the Christmas song about 'Chestnuts roasting on the fire'.
Those look nice, Radd. I was wondering as well if you will eat them all or perhaps share with the squirrels, friends and family. Yeah, they look really inviting.
Ohh, please roast some and enjoy one of life's greater pleasures! Those are lovely chestnuts--do you have to tend the tree in any way, perhaps spraying or pruning?
Yes we do eat some and there are plenty for the squirrels. You need to remove the bitter skin inside the shell of the nut. We use three methods to cook them, roasting in the oven, prick the shell and microwave for about 40 seconds, or boil them. All methods help to remove the skin but boiling is probably most effective. Whatever way we use, I like them very warm and with a little salt. Very tasty. @marlingardener. The tree is one of several huge sweet chestnut trees on an ancient railway embankment. It is just beyond my boundary so all we have to do is pick the nuts up on the patio. Our tree is to the left in this January picture.
