Chestnuts don’t get nearly enough credit in the kitchen. Sure, they make an appearance in holiday songs, but when was the last time they actually made it onto your plate? This season, we’re changing that. From breakfast waffles to side dishes and even dessert, chestnuts are surprisingly versatile and bring a rich, nutty vibe to all kinds of recipes.
Cornbread Chestnut Stuffing
A chestnut stuffing that brings cornbread, sausage, mushrooms, fennel, cranberries, and herbs like rosemary and sage together. This one’s great for holiday tables, adding a perfect seasonal touch with chestnuts.
Get the Recipe: Cornbread Chestnut Stuffing
Chestnut Waffles
Nutty chestnut flour waffles with a hint of cardamom, topped with vanilla cranberry compote. A great pick for a winter breakfast with easy-to-find ingredients.
Get the Recipe: Chestnut Waffles
Chestnut Oat Smoothie
Chestnuts, Greek yogurt, and oats blend into a smoothie that keeps things light but filling. Perfect for a quick breakfast as the New Year rolls in.
Get the Recipe: Chestnut Oat Smoothie
Stuffed Turkey Roulade
This turkey roulade packs chestnuts, tart cherries, and herbs, all topped with a cherry-red wine sauce. A simple but great way to make holiday dinners look fancy.
Get the Recipe: Stuffed Turkey Roulade
Honey Vanilla Chestnut Spread
Honey vanilla chestnut spread that’s perfect on toast or as a dip for fruit. A solid seasonal swap for nut butter that’s easy to whip up.
Get the Recipe: Honey Vanilla Chestnut Spread
Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Bacon-wrapped water chestnuts baked with a savory glaze—crunchy, smoky, and perfect for any party. Super easy to make and a hit with guests.
Get the Recipe: Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts
Chestnut Parsnip Puree with Mushrooms and Maple Sauce
Creamy chestnut-parsnip puree topped with sautéed mushrooms and a touch of maple syrup. Perfect for a Thanksgiving or Christmas side with big fall flavors.
Get the Recipe: Chestnut Parsnip Puree with Mushrooms and Maple Sauce
Italian Chocolate Chestnut Tortelli Cookies
Italian chestnut cookies with dark chocolate and a hint of rum—just right for Christmas cookie exchanges. Rich and totally different from the usual holiday treats.
Get the Recipe: Italian Chocolate Chestnut Tortelli Cookies
Garlicky Sautéed Kale with Chestnuts
A simple mix of chestnuts, kale, and garlic for a side dish that works on any weeknight or holiday spread. A quick and easy way to bring greens to the table.
Get the Recipe: Garlicky Sautéed Kale with Chestnuts
Chocolate Chestnut Bûche de Noël
A sponge cake roll brushed with whiskey syrup, filled with chestnut buttercream, and coated in chocolate buttercream. A standout seasonal dessert that’s as tasty as it looks.
Get the Recipe: Chocolate Chestnut Bûche de Noël
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
