Butternut Squash Timbales with Chestnut Apple Sauce and Foraging for Food

As I'm racing down the bike path last week, lost in thought, as usual; aiming for the big leaves to get a nice noisy crunch, as usual; I found myself aiming for the chestnuts to get a nice 'splat'.

WTF?  That's FOOD!

I slammed on my brakes (got a lovely screech) and hopped off my bike.  Yup, they were a decent size.

Once mon mari realized that I wasn't injured he gave a Gallic shrug (he's getting quite good at that) and continued on, leaving me to my find. 

We have both a horse chestnut (left) and a sweet chestnut tree in our garden.  The horse chestnut, aka 'conker' is not edible, and the sweet chestnut is too young to bear worthy chestnuts.

The chestnuts on the bike trail were perfect!  I proceeded to gather what I could without gloves (they have nasty prickers) and started to fill my bike pack.  A few more stops under big trees and by the time I found mon mari, resting under a tree having a snack, my pack was full.  We were most pleased!

I spent the ride back, once again lost in the murky abyss of my brain, trying to figure out what to do with them all, besides just roasting and eating. 

That probably explains how we got separated and why I spent a half an hour wandering around downtown Aizeny looking for the bike trail that I had somehow lost...but that's another story.

By the time I got back to the car I had the recipe laid out.  It just needed a decent execution and it would be perfect for the big Two Year Anniversary of Weekend Herb Blogging Celebration being hosted by our beloved  founder, Kalyn of Kalyn's Kitchen.

Now the question: do all those lovely chestnuts I gathered have any nutritional value or are they just good for sappy Christmas songs? 

Chestnuts have been eaten all over Europe and Asia since prehistoric times.  Flour made from chestnuts played an important role in ancient cuisine and is seeing a bit of a comeback.  Chestnuts are similar to the beechnut eaten by Native Americans.  They are very low in fat, unlike most other nuts, and are an excellent source of vitamins B6 and C; and a good source of potassium and folate.  After roasting or boiling, both the outer shell and inner skin must be removed before eating.  The flesh is sweet, slightly dry and crumbly. 

The absolutely, most perfect way to eat chestnuts is in Salzburg, just before Christmas, out of a paper cone piping hot from the chestnut vendor, while strolling through old town, listening to Mozart and gazing into the colorfully decorated shop windows.  Sigh.....

Okay, back to reality!  This was pretty good, too!  And Kalyn, I did try for unusual combinations...that's what comes of a 4 hour bike ride!

Butternut Squash Timbales with Apple Chestnut Sauce

1 cup butternut squash
pinch of saffron
pinch of nutmeg
pinch salt
2 tbs crème fraiche
1 egg
6 small sage leaves
Caramelized Shallots
Apple Chestnut Sauce

Cut butternut squash into small cubes (1/4" (.5cm).   Put into a steamer basket over boiling water and steam for 10 - 12 minutes, or until tender.  Remove and put into a bowl.  Crush a few saffron threads and add to squash along with the pinches of salt and nutmeg.  Mash the squash with a fork and mix spices in well.  Butter 2 ramekins and line with buttered parchment or waxed paper.  Make 2 more circles and butter one side for the top.  Put the egg in a medium bowl and whisk lightly.  Add crème fraiche and whisk well.  Add the squash and stir well to combine.  Put 3 sage leaves upside down in each ramekin.  Top with the caramelized shallots, evenly divided.  Spoon the squash on top, dividing evenly.  Put the paper circle, buttered side down, loosely on top.  Put into a baking pan (I use a bread pan) with deep sides.  Pour hot water into the pan coming half way up the sides of the ramekins.  Bake in 400F (200C) oven for 30 minutes, until set - top will be firm.  Remove from oven and carefully remove ramekins from hot water.  Remove paper.  Run a knife around edges of timbales and invert onto small plates.  Remove paper carefully.  You should have a lovely top of 3 sage leaves nestled into the shallots.  Spoon Apple Chestnut Sauce on the side and serve.

Caramelized Shallots

2 medium shallots
2 tsp olive oil
2 tsp water
2 tsp brown sugar
2 tsp Balsamic vinegar
1/2 tsp sage leaves
1/4 tsp rosemary

Heat 2 tsp olive oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat and add shallots.  Sauté 10 minutes, until starting to brown.  Add water (it helps speed things up and prevent burning) and stir well and let continue to cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned.  Add brown sugar, vinegar, herbs, and cook, stirring for 2 more minutes.

Apple Chestnut Sauce

1/2  large apple
5 roasted chestnuts
3 tbs apple juice 
1/4 tsp rosemary
1/4 tsp sage

Lay the chestnuts flat on their sides and cut a cross in one side with a sharp knife. Put in a small pan or baking sheet and roast, 400F (200C) for 20 minutes.  Remove and peel, carefully, they're hot!  Chop finely.  Peel apple and chop finely.  Put apple in a small saucepan with 1 tbs apple juice.  Heat over medium-low until apple is soft.  Add chopped chestnuts and herbs and heat through.  Add enough remaining apple juice as it will absorb.  I used it all.

Note: This was part of a larger menu that used up the odd bits (other half of the apple, rest of apple juice, etc.

Note 2: The recipe might look a bit intimidating but it really is easy - just a bit on the fussy side

Be sure to visit Kalyn's Kitchen for the big bash round-up next week!  And remember, always brake for food! 

Comments

[Mike]

That looks really awesome and just...intriguing. A lot of flavors that make perfect sense but would never have crossed my mind...I'll have to give this one a shot :-)

[Jann]

Oh,Katie, you are too funny. I can just see you eyeballing those chestnuts out of the corner of your eye as you were passing by....Prickly things, you found there....at least I know now what sort of nut they are...I have seen them on the streets in Italy with those spikie things displayed....who would eat those! Just kidding aside, you dish looks wonderful and you have hit upon one of my favorite veggies.....this is something I would slam on the brakes for!

[Truffle]

What a gorgeous dish! I can almost taste it although we are so far removed from chestnut season here. Sounds delicious.

[gattina]

Katie,
I love the imprint of sage leaves, definitely a crowd-pleaser! I'm still waiting for squash (esp butternut) showing up, although I don't make a special trip going to any special market.
... btw, I haven't been La Boqueria, only passed by, and one time when we looked at an apartment around the area. The streets are very charming.
Glad you told us about 'conker', I almost brought them home and roasted them!

[Katie]

You could tell the kids it has caramel on top, Shayne.... Hope they like the chicken!

[ilva]

This is really a feast! Great way to celebrate the second whb anniversary!

[Christine]

Had to save this post to my del.ici.ous file even before leaving a comment. Jeez Katie, this looks so incredibly delicious, I can't wait to make it. And the apple chestnut sauce - just kill me now!
I love the idea of you racing down a bike path crunching chestnut leaves. They were all over the Dordogne region were we spent such a lovely autumn several years ago. Ah the memories...

[Katie]

Mike, that's what comes of a wandering mind...

Jann, Drive over Lemons, Brake for Chestnuts...my new motto!

Truffle, but you're getting asparagus....

Gattina, you have to go to La Boqueria - esp. this time of year when they are gearing up for the Christmas baking...it's so wonderful! I even used to do a bit of shopping there and just staring...

Thanks, Ilva, I was trying for something special hahaha!

Christine, the kid just comes out when I'm on my bike...good thing mon mari makes me wear my helmut...

[Helene]

What a yummy idea and so inviting photos, want to have a bite!! :) But suppose they´re gone already. Will try this!

[Simona]

I love chestnuts! In Italy there were already plenty of people selling roasted chestnuts on the side of the road. The smell is so heart-warming. This dish sounds out-of-this-world delicious.