Castanyadas Around the Region
Look out for a ‘castanyada’ near you, village festival celebrating the sweet chestnut, traditionally held on the 1st November at Toussaint, but a hot treat on any cold day of the year.
Not much beats an autumn walk, a big stick, and a sweet chestnut hunt. Delicious roasted, steamed, pureed, chestnuts are gluten free, low in calories compared to most other nuts, but rich in minerals and vitamins.
- Prades, Place de la République, Friday 19th October, 5pm
- Tresserre, Friday 19th October, 10pm (see also Fête des Sorcières)
- Saint Génis les Fontaines, Place de la République, Saturday 20th October, 4pm
- Le Perthus, Salle des Fêtes, Saturday 20th October, 6pm
- Saint Cyprien, Place de la République, Thursday 25th October, 8pm
- Banyuls sur Mer, Front de Mer, Sunday 4th November, 3pm
- Corsavy, Sunday 11th November, 2pm
Chocolate Chestnut Pie
Ingredients
– 200g / 7oz shortcrust pastry
– 225g / 8oz cooked chestnuts (steamed or boiled)
– 3 tbsp cocoa powder
– 1 egg, beaten
– 4 tbsp caster sugar
– milk
Method
♣ Preheat the oven to 180C, 350F, Gas Mark 4, roll out pastry thinly and line a flan tin.
♣ Mash chestnuts until smooth in a large mixing bowl.
♣ Stir in the sugar and cocoa and add enough milk to make a thick cream.
♣ Add beaten egg to the bowl, mix well and pour into pastry case.
♣ Bake for 35 – 40 minutes. Serve hot or cold.