Chestnuts are the perfect holiday snack that no one seems to think of! 

If you have never tried a chestnut, it is a starchy, slightly sweet, chewy, delicious treat.

There’s a lot of great nutrition packed into the holiday nut everyone loves to sing about.

Similar to other nuts, Chestnuts are full of minerals, but they are actually very low in fat. Some of the vitamins and minerals they offer are vitamin C, vitamin B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, folate, copper, potassium, manganese, iron, and calcium. 

10 Chestnuts (85g) contain 44g of carbohydrates, 5g of fiber, 2g of fat, and 2g of protein.

How to Choose Chestnuts

For the best quality, shop for chestnuts that are heavy for their size and have a smooth exterior. Shake them– if you hear something rattling inside that means they’re not fresh, keep looking.

Once home from the store, keep the nuts in a cool, dry place for up to a week. If you need them to stay fresh for a longer period of time, store them in the refrigerator for up to a month or in the freezer for several months.

How to Roast Chestnuts

1. Take the tip of a sharp paring knife and cut an X on the flat side of the chestnut. If you skip this step, the chestnuts will explode in the oven and you will have quite a mess to clean. After cutting the X, place them on a baking sheet.
2. Heat the oven to 425º Fahrenheit and roast the chestnuts for 7 minutes. Toss the chestnuts for even cooking, and roast them for another 8 minutes. The shells of the chestnuts will brown and the sliced X’s will expand.
3. Take the chestnuts out of the oven and let them cool for a few minutes, but try to peel the chestnuts when they are still warm. The cooler the chestnut, the harder it is to peel.
4. Arrange on a holiday tray and serve as a festive, healthy snack!

What is your favorite healthy holiday treat? Let us know in the comments below!