Roasting Chestnuts Over an Open Fire

Whenever I’d hear some crooner sing “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire,” and there have been dozens from Bing to Buble and even Bieber.  I’ve thought, “Sweet but who does this?”  Well last year, while Tim Porter and I invaded the home of Robert and Diane Helstrom to photograph a somewhat staged, but genuinely fabulous holiday party – I was thrilled to not only witness this holiday myth but taste the glory that is a freshly roasted chestnut. Yum! Robert actually skipped the ‘open fire’  part and just roasted them on his open stove top. This in turn made the house smell divine, homey and celebratory. As I squished the buttery nut into my fingers then popped it into my mouth I thought about a world before packaged sweets where something like a roasted chestnut was delicacy.  It still is and I encourage you to try it this season. For the complete article click here. 

Best to eat right away – serve with a bit of salt.


Mimi Towle

Mimi Towle has been the editor of Marin Magazine for over a decade. She lived with her family in Sycamore Park and Strawberry and thoroughly enjoyed raising two daughters in the mayhem of Marin’s youth sports; soccer, swim, volleyball, ballet, hip hop, gymnastics and many many hours spent at Miwok Stables. Her community involvements include volunteering at her daughter’s schools, coaching soccer and volleyball (glorified snack mom), being on the board of both Richardson Bay Audubon Center. Currently residing on a floating home in Sausalito, she enjoys all water activity, including learning how to steer a 6-person canoe for the Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club. Born and raised in Hawaii, her fondness for the islands has on occasion made its way into the pages of the magazine.