10 Savory and Sweet Vegan Chestnut Recipes for Christmas! (2024)

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire… we’ve all heard the classic carol, and chestnuts are a key part of a Christmas menu that put us in the festive mood. Whether you serve them in savory or sweet dishes, entrees, or desserts, they’ll be a delicious addition to your holiday table. We hope you enjoy these recipes from our awesome bloggers and our Food Monster App!

1. Pumpkin-Cinnamon-Chestnut Rolls

Image Source: Pumpkin-Cinnamon-Chestnut Rolls

These Vegan Pumpkin-Cinnamon-Chestnut RollsfromTrue Foods Blog are a sweet treat that does not come with all the sugar of your typical cinnamon roll! Because of the spelt grain, and the low amount of added sugar, and fat, these autumn rolls are a sweet treat that you can enjoy with good conscience. Topping them with the glaze makes them even more amazing!

2. Chestnut and Lentil Loaf

Image Source: Chestnut and Lentil Loaf

The lentils and the rest of the ingredients in thisChestnut and Lentil LoaffromKim Sujovolsky will give you nothing less than the meatiest vegan meatloaf. Although there are endless ways to make a lentil loaf, this one is using chestnuts, which makes this dish perfect for the holiday season, and really good next to any gravies or pan sauces, not to mention the simple addition of a little extra ketchup on the side.

Get the Blessed Cookbook!

The ultimate Christmas cookbook is here!Blessed: Plant-based recipes for the most magical Christmas Ever contains the perfect recipes for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, Christmas morning, and scrumptious leftovers. From holiday classics like pineapple-baked ‘ham’, holiday loaves, and chocolate yule logs, to new flavors like saffron risotto, tropical Christmas fruit cake, and Tahini-Roasted Cauliflower With Lemony Herb Oil. This magical cookbook offers everything you need to create a stunning holiday spread!

3. Mini Chocolate and Chestnut Stacks

Image Source: Mini Chocolate and Chestnut Stacks

If you are looking to add a little extra excitement to your dessert tray, look no further. These Mini Chocolate and Chestnut StacksfromPamela Higgins are the perfect bite-sized dessert and are as tasty as they are impressive. The rich chocolate cake sandwiches and delicate homemade chestnut cream in an elegantly delicious treat.

4. Chestnut Mushroom Stuffing

Image Source: Chestnut Mushroom Stuffing

Stuffing is another one of those Thanksgiving dishes that’s usually drowned in butter – but it doesn’t have to be. A good quality olive oil works very well. The trick is to make sure your other ingredients are packed with flavor. Try it out with thisChestnut Mushroom StuffingfromCathy Elton!

5. Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Apples and Chestnuts

Image Source: Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Apples and Chestnuts

It’s that time of year! The time to roast chestnuts, Brussels sprouts, and apples. If you aren’t sure if you like Brussels sprouts, giveRoasted Brussels Sprouts With Apples and ChestnutsfromMichaell Johnson a try!Despite their reputation, they have a pretty mild flavor when roasted. If you are trying to convince your kids to try them, remind them they are mini cabbages made bite-size just for them. And pretty cute too! Make sure you make this dish on a cookie sheet for maximizing your crispiness efforts.

6. Orange Layer Cake With Chestnut Frosting

Image Source: Orange Layer Cake With Chestnut Frosting

ThisOrange Layer Cake With Chestnut FrostingfromMelina Kutelas is a meeting between two fantastic seasonal flavors: chestnut and orange. The whole wheat sponge cakes are infused with orange zest and juice. Those are layered with a decadent buttercream frosting made from chestnuts and coconut oil. When it comes to decoration, get as creative as you want! Whether you go with a dusting of cinnamon and cocoa or a drizzle of melted chocolate with sliced oranges, it’s perfectly picturesque and delicious.

7.Chestnut and Roasted Cauliflower Soup With Lemon-Parsley Oil

Image Source: Chestnut and Roasted Cauliflower Soup With Lemon-Parsley Oil

ThisChestnut and Roasted Cauliflower Soup With Lemon-Parsley OilfromNancy Partington pairs sweet, nutty chestnuts with earthy roasted cauliflower, the usual aromatics (onion, celery, garlic), and a pinch of herbs de Provence. It is rich, earthy, hearty, and very satisfying on a cold winter day. For a bright, punchy element, swirl each bowl with parsley-lemon oil, and a scattering of crispy sprouted pumpkin seeds, and a two-tone gomasio that adds crunch and a savory-salty finish.

8. Savory Hazelnut Chestnut Spread

Image Source: Savory Hazelnut Chestnut Spread

The perfect topping for toast, crackers, or bagels for a savory snack, breakfast, or a side for your soup! This Savory Hazelnut Chestnut SpreadfromCamille David is packed with protein and it has all of the delicious flavors of winter.

9. Creamy Roasted Chestnut and Potato Soup

Image Source: Creamy Roasted Chestnut and Potato Soup

Need some serious comfort food? This fillingCreamy Roasted Chestnut and Potato SoupfromTori Cooper embodies all the flavors of the chilly season. Chestnuts simmered until soft and puréed with roasted potatoes, aromatics, and fresh savory herbs like rosemary and sage. A swirl of coconut cream makes it extra rich and cozy — perfect for fighting the cold while embracing the holiday season.

10. Chocolate, Coffee, and Chestnut Torte

Image Source: Chocolate, Coffee, and Chestnut Torte

With an oat, date, and almond base topped with a chocolate torte brought to life by espresso, this combination works incredibly well with chunky, sweet chestnuts inside. Gold glitter is the finishing touch for this pretty, rich Chocolate, Coffee, and Chestnut TortefromPamela Higgins.

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10 Savory and Sweet Vegan Chestnut Recipes for Christmas! (2024)

FAQs

What do people do with chestnuts? ›

Chestnuts are also eaten as a stuffing or cooked with pheasant, duck, goose, and chicken. Chestnut-fed pork and beef are considered a delicacy because the chestnuts impart a sweet flavor to the meat. Pigs are fed on chestnuts to produce such specialties as the Serrano hams in Italy and 'jamón ibérico' in Spain.

Are chestnuts vegan? ›

Chestnuts are not only vegan-friendly but also a delightful addition to any plant-based diet.

How to roast chestnuts like a street vendor? ›

Roasting in oven:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Spread “scored” chestnuts evenly onto a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, shaking the pan once or twice during the cooking.
  3. Remove from heat and dump into a bowl and cover with a towel for 15 minutes.
  4. Carefully peel the flesh from the shell and enjoy hot.
Dec 17, 2014

What do you eat with roasted chestnuts? ›

They can be cooked whole alongside meat, as with our roast guinea fowl dish and they pair perfectly with Christmas sprouts. For a vegetarian alternative, team chestnuts with parsnips in this modern take on a nut loaf or serve them in a stunning savoury cake packed with butternut squash and lentils.

What do chestnuts have to do with Christmas? ›

Chestnuts were synonymous with Christmas in the United States even before the popular carol hit airwaves. In fact, they were one of the most popular ingredients in American dishes throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, and for good reason: the Eastern seaboard was covered in chestnut trees.

What is the tradition of chestnuts at Christmas? ›

Even today, Italian-Americans carry on the tradition of ending holiday meals with “chestnuts roasting on an open fire” and a glass of wine. The smell of roasted chestnuts on a cold late Autumn-Winter day is enough to fill your soul with pleasure. It is one of my most memorable smells of Christmas.

What food is surprisingly vegan? ›

18 Snacks and Foods You Didn't Know Were Vegan
  • Sriracha Mayo. I'm just as surprised as you are that Flying Goose's brilliant sriracha mayo is completely plant-based. ...
  • Hackney Gelato Dark Chocolate Sorbetto. ...
  • Lotus Biscoff Spread. ...
  • Lindt Excellence 70% Dark Chocolate. ...
  • Ritz Crackers. ...
  • Jacob's Cream Crackers. ...
  • Oreos. ...
  • Twiglets.
Jan 11, 2023

What chestnuts can you not eat? ›

Sweet chestnuts are edible, but horse chestnuts are poisonous. If eaten, they can cause digestive problems such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and throat irritation. More than one in 10 cases of poisonous plants being mistaken for edible plants involve horse and sweet chestnuts.

What is surprisingly not vegan? ›

Honey. Honey is a controversial food for many vegans. Bees do produce it, and it is also a food source in the hive. Because bees produce it, and bees have died to make it, honey is not considered vegan.

Why do you soak chestnuts before roasting? ›

The soaking period allows the shells to fill up with water. The water in turn produces a steaming effect when the chestnuts roast, forcing the shells to burst away from the nut. Many recipes and tips I've encountered throughout my cooking life call for a brief soak, 30 minutes or so.

Why are my chestnuts exploding in the oven? ›

Using a sharp paring knife or chef's knife, make an X-shaped cut on the round side of 1/2 pound fresh unpeeled chestnuts. This critical step keeps them from exploding from internal pressure when heated and makes peeling easier after roasting.

Why are my chestnuts hard after roasting? ›

If you over-cook OR under-cook them, they will get hard and the inner skin will be very difficult to remove. Now comes the hard part: peeling them! You need to peel them while they are still warm. Let them cool just enough so that you can touch them, then start peeling.

How many chestnuts should you eat a day? ›

Just 10 roasted chestnuts include 17% of what you need for the day — a major plus considering most of us don't get nearly enough.

What flavors go well with chestnut? ›

Flavor compadres: Pair chestnuts with honey, chocolate or hazelnut for sweet dessert possibilities.

What is the healthiest way to eat chestnuts? ›

Chestnuts lose some of their vitamin C if you boil or roast them, but still have anywhere from 15 to 20 percent of your daily intake for this healthy vitamin. To retain more vitamin C in chestnuts when cooking, you can roast them at lower temperatures or use a food dehydrator to dry them.

What do Italians do with chestnuts? ›

Gnocchi and fettucine made with chestnut flour are enjoyed with game such as pheasant, and a sweet flatbread called castagnaccio is beloved in Tuscany and Liguria. Chestnuts are also a common Italian ingredient in stuffing for poultry (Giada often includes them in her Thanksgiving lineup).

What do Asians do with chestnuts? ›

Chestnuts: used in various sweets such as the Mont Blanc dessert and in Japan, chestnut yokan (jellied dessert) and kurikinton, the mashed sweet potato and sweetened chestnut delight that is an indispensable part of traditional New Year's cuisine.

How do Americans eat chestnuts? ›

Chestnuts can be eaten in a variety of forms – fresh, dried, canned, jarred, pureed, even ground into flour. But finding them is often half the battle for one looking to enjoy them. Fresh chestnuts are generally only available in the fall.

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