Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...

It is the time of the year for roasted chestnuts or 'Heisse Marroni' as they are called here. Stands are here and there through out the market place, streets, etc. When I first tasted a roasted chestnut, I thought it tasted a bit like sweetened mashed potatoes. You have to acquire a taste for them. I tried roasting them at home one time, which was a total disaster! Now I would much rather find a stand and purchase a few for a treat.


The lady above just emptied these into her big pan with the fire below. She will stir them occasionally until they are roasted/done.
When you purchase them, you buy them by weight and they are put in this bag, which also has a compartment to put them empty shells in. These bags also make great hand warmers when the chestnuts are hot from the pan!
This has nothing to do with chestnuts, other than it is a fall item on the menu. Jesse decided to try the 'pumpkin special' at this little cafe and we both were pleasantly surprised buy the neat presentation of the pumpkin/squash filled with seasoned rice and served with a generous scoop of relish and tossed salad!