24th December 2009

For the 19 people (9 people, 10 kids) expected for Christmas Dinner, how many chestnuts did we need to go into the 20lb (9kg) turkey? It was difficult to decide how many to do. We had 3kgs of Chestnuts (thank you Colin & Cathy), 2kgs would have been ample for next time (but with more adults, perhaps 3kgs would be right), but it does freeze. Anyway, we just boil them, peel them and pop them into the small cavity of the turkey, simple pimple. (Ha so you think, simple yes, time consuming, yes very!). You need many hands and much sherry and Christmas carols too…

Chestnut Stuffing

Serves about 19

Takes about an hour per kg to prepare on your own

Chestnuts, 2kg of fresh healthy looking ones

First make a cross on top of each with a sharp knife. Boil for 20 mins and check one. Cut it in half and use a teaspoon to scoop out the meat (avoiding the brown skin). It should be soft and easy to eat. It probably needs another 10 minutes. Don’t over boil them, as they are harder to shell. We just put the shelled chestnut meat into the turkey like this, no seasoning, not butter, if you have a good turkey, it shouldn’t need it. You can just roast the chestnut in a tin, but it might dry out and some butter and foil would probably help.

Amanda Nantgwynfaen

www.organicfarmwales.co.uk