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.
Often teamed up with a tasting of the vin nouveau – the first wine of the year.
Because of the current sanitary situation, many of this year’s castanyadas have been cancelled but there are still a few events going ahead under strict compliance with health and safety regualtions. Don’t forget your mask!
Thursday 15th October
Saint Cyprien, 6pm, place de la République
Sunday 25th
Banyuls sur Mer, 3pm, Esplanade front de Mer
Friday 30th
Elne, 6pm, Hôtel de Ville
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.