In autumn and winter it is time for sweet chestnuts or sweet chestnuts. Especially at Christmas markets, these fruits are offered in roasted form. But they can also be prepared in a variety of other ways and in some areas of Germany you can also collect them yourself.
The sweet chestnut harvest season begins in September
Where are chestnuts harvested?
The sweet chestnut, as the sweet chestnut is also called, prefers a mild climate and a warm location. It is mainly found in southern Europe. In Germany it is mostly found in wine-growing regions, for example in the Palatinate, but also in the Black Forest, in the Taunus or on the Moselle, Saar and Nahe. In colder regions, the harvest volume drops significantly, even if the sweet chestnut is only sensitive to late frosts.
When are chestnuts ripe?
The ripening time of the chestnuts is quite limited. It is usually between the end of September and mid-October. The ripe fruits are not picked, they fall from the tree and "only" have to be collected. However, they have a lot of competition because squirrels and wild boars also like chestnuts. Sweet chestnuts do not naturally keep for very long, but various breeds have produced varieties that can be stored quite well.
How can I prepare and use chestnuts?
The preferred way of preparing chestnuts is roasting. But you can also use it to cook a very tasty soup, stuff a goose with it or create sweet desserts with it. If you want to preserve a larger harvest quantity, then freezing is recommended. The fruits can also be dried.
The essentials in brief:
- Harvest usually at the end of September to mid-October
- ripe fruits fall from the tree
- collect quickly
- relatively short shelf life
tips
Don't let the squirrels snatch the ripe chestnuts.