From October 1st until November 15 guided chestnut searches, chestnut markets, chestnut festivals, complete with Chestnut Princesses, and chestnut gourmet tasting tours are taking place across Germany.

Because it is "Keschde" time, "chestnut" in Pfalz dialect. Chestnut time.

Thanks to the conquering Romans who brought them to "Germania" they are in season together with wild mushrooms, so fall is a favorite time for food foragers.

Here is a Hausmanskost, (home cooking) Chestnut Soup Recipe, which if you found the chestnuts yourself almost fits into the frugal food category, although it does contain both cream and wine.


CHESTNUT SOUP RECIPE

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art178311.asp

While CHESTNUT JAM is not only easy to make it has many uses, both sweet and savory.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art178317.asp


Hope you have some sweet chestnuts near you so you can try these popular seasonal treats from Germany.




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Francine McKenna-Klein, German Culture Editor

http://germanculture.bellaonline.com