chestnuts

Chestnuts! Forget the winter market—grab a basket, put on some sturdy shoes, and head to a Dutch chestnut farm for a proper outdoor adventure. There’s something wonderfully satisfying about stooping under a sprawling chestnut tree, kicking through the leaves, and spotting those glossy, mahogany-brown nuggets hiding in the spiky green husks. It’s like a treasure hunt where the prize is delicious, and you don’t even need a map.

The best part? You can make a whole day of it. Bring the kids, a couple of friends, or drag your most reluctant partner along—once they find that first perfect chestnut, they’ll be hooked. Pro tip: wear gloves to avoid the prickly hulls, and bring a small stool if you don’t fancy bending over for an hour. Don’t forget a thermos of hot chocolate for the morale boost. You’ll want to pick about a kilo per person, because trust me, once you taste them, you’ll wish you’d grabbed more.

Once home, score an X on the flat side of each chestnut with a sharp knife (this stops them from exploding in the oven like tiny nutty grenades). Then you’re ready to roast, boil, or get creative.

How to Use Them at Home

Roasted chestnuts are the classic: pop them in a 200°C oven for 20 minutes, peel while warm, and eat as a snack with a glass of something nice. But there’s so much more to do with these nutty beauties.

Two Cooking Recipes

1. Chestnut and Mushroom Risotto
A creamy, earthy dish that tastes like a warm hug.
Sauté 200g chopped mushrooms in butter. Add 1 cup arborio rice, stir for a minute, then gradually add 4 cups warm vegetable broth, stirring often. When the rice is almost tender, stir in 200g cooked, peeled, and roughly chopped chestnuts. Finish with a splash of white wine, a handful of grated Parmesan, and some fresh thyme. Serve with a smile.

2. Chestnut and Apple Soup
Sweet, smooth, and perfect for a chilly evening.
Gently cook 1 chopped onion in butter until soft. Add 2 peeled, chopped apples and 300g cooked, peeled chestnuts. Pour in 4 cups of vegetable broth, bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes. Blend until velvety, season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Top with a curl of cream and some crispy bacon bits if you’re feeling cheeky.

One Cocktail Recipe: Chestnut Old Fashioned
A cozy twist on a classic.
In a shaker, muddle 2 roasted, peeled chestnuts with 1 teaspoon maple syrup and a dash of orange bitters. Add 60ml bourbon and plenty of ice. Shake well, then strain into a glass over a big ice cube. Garnish with a strip of orange peel and a whole roasted chestnut on a toothpick. Sip slowly.

Fruittuin van West

fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs, berries, nuts

noord-holland

Fruittuin van West is a certified biodynamic (Demeter) farm located in Amsterdam, bringing together agriculture, a farm shop, and hospitality. The farm operates Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30 to 18:00 (closed on Mondays). Visitors have the opportunity to self-pick a wide variety of fruit directly from the 6.5-hectare orchard, with a harvest season that typically runs from around mid-June to mid-October. The daily available fruit is updated on-site, as the exact timing depends on natural conditions. The orchard grows over 20 different types of fruit, including numerous apple and pear varieties, various berries (black, red, white, and rosé currants, blueberries, gooseberries, jostaberries, blackberries, raspberries, Japanese wineberries, loganberries, tayberries, and honeyberries), grapes, cherries, plums, mirabelles, peaches, nectarines, and nuts. In addition to fruit, guests can pick mushrooms (oyster and shiitake) year-round from the on-site cave, and chicory (witloof) is available for harvest from roughly November to May. The farm is also home to a variety of animals, including laying hens, Hereford cattle, and Kune Kune pigs. Children can explore the farm freely, with no fixed playground but opportunities for adventure among the trees and animals. The farm shop and café are open the same hours as the orchard, offering organic and biodynamic groceries, meals, and drinks. For adults and groups, guided tours are available upon request. The farm is a registered wedding venue and offers spaces for private parties and business meetings. Events such as live music, treasure hunts, and festivals are also held periodically.

De Moestuin Utrecht

fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs

utrecht

We are a social enterprise and biological farm located on the eastern side of Utrecht, set on a 2.5‑hectare site that once belonged to a monastery and later became a city nursery. Today, the garden serves as a working farm, lunch café, farm shop, event venue, and recreational space. All cultivation is organic, and the farm provides work and training opportunities for people who have difficulty finding employment on the regular labour market. The site includes a large terrace, a children’s playground, an animal meadow, beehives, a herb garden, and a greenhouse called De Oranjerie that can be rented for parties, weddings, and business meetings.

Plukbos Paardenspeelwei

fruit, vegetables, nuts

gelderland

Plukbos Paardenspeelwei is a community-initiated picking garden located in Velp, Netherlands. It is a small-scale project within a larger natural playground, where trees and shrubs of ecological value have been planted. Visitors are welcome to pick fruits, nuts, and seeds to enjoy as a snack during a walk or play. The garden focuses on biodiversity, promoting sustainable practices inspired by permaculture principles. It is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.