Well I do love chocolate and coffee too but I have a soft spot for chestnuts dating back from my childhood. Chestnut translates to chata^igne or marron. I spent all my summers with my grandmother Paulette in Brive la Gaillarde in Correze. Basically in the South center of France where winters can be very cold and nutritious food such as nuts are a staple in local recipes. I like plain roasted chestnuts but it is the sugary version that has become comfort food for me. It can add up in calories so I am making low calories version with Splenda but here are my favorite French desserts with chestnut.
1. Chesnut spread
Chestnut, vanilla and sugar mashed together. Some people use it as jam, I think it works straight from the spoon (like Nutella) or mixed in with plain yogurt.
chestnut spread
2. The legendary marron glace
Very expensive because the cooking process is very long and difficult. It is presented in individual gold wrappers as they are very fragile. They have always been a little too sweet for me.
marrons glaces
3- Macaron a la chataigne
A rare and seasonal offer from Laduree. Chestnuts with almond paste! Waowwww!
macarons a la chataigne
4- Mont Blanc
The white part can be yogurt or at Angelina salon de the in Paris a mix of meringue and whipped cream.
mont blanc Angelina
5- Chestnut Ice Cream
Also rare and hard to find but sooo tasty
chestnut ice cream
6/ Maron Suis’
A chestnut mousse dessert that can be found in most supermarkets in France. Amazing and cheap 🙂
maron sui's
7/ La buche a la chataigne
The traditional French Xmas dessert (the Xmas log) can be made with chestnuts . Either in a frozen version with vanilla and pear. Or with chocolate in the more traditional way (with biscuit and butter). Lenotre has announced the release for this Xmas of a Buche designed with Kenzo with chestnut and green tea!!! Hope I will be in Paris to taste it.
Buche Lenotre Kenzo
8/ La barquette aux marrons
In the shape of a boat this almond, chestnut and chocolate dessert can be found in some patisseries.It is very dense and full of flavors.
barquette aux marrons
9/ La charlotte aux marrons
A chestnut mousse surrounded by wafers with a chocolate frosting. Lenotre made one that I was praying to get as my birthday cake.I think it was called la Chataigneraie.
chataignes
What can I say? I am a BIG fan.
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