Chestnut Picking: Family Fun in Montello
Did you know there is an amazing forest hillside near Treviso where you can hike, bike, and see beautiful foliage? It’s called “Il Montello” in the province of Treviso. It was also the site of a WWI battlefield. I love going there because it’s super close, nature abounds, and you can pick your chestnuts!
It’s chestnut season, and fall is one of my favorite seasons! It’s also a great family-friendly activity, which we did a few weekends ago. The kids, hubby, and I ventured into the forest and had the absolute best time. I think we spent two hours or more exploring and finding new types of mushrooms and plants. This activity is not just for families; groups of friends can do it, too, or even go solo!
What you need to Know before you go
Safety first
It’s super important. I would suggest wearing gardening or pruning gloves. Chestnuts are packed in a hard, spiky shell. You can pry them open with your hands using sticks lying around, or bring a tool that can pull them open. You can also step on them with the bottom of your boot to squeeze them open.
There are two kinds of chestnuts to be aware of. The poisonous ones, called Horseshoe chestnuts, are usually found in parks, near city centers. They only contain one chestnut. While the ones in the forest contain multiples. At least two, sometimes up to three or four in a shell.
Gear
In addition to wearing gloves, boots, nylon pants or rain slicks are perfect for foraging especially if it rained the day before. We didn’t have any of that at the time. We had decided to go on a whim. We managed just the same and enjoyed it! A few pricks aside.
What to do with your Chestnuts
So, you’ve got a bag of chestnuts and now you’re wondering what to do with them. First things first, score an “X” on the flat side, and soak them in a bowl or pot overnight. Or at least 4 to 6 hours. Folks normally roast them. Just pop them on a baking sheet, and roast them in the oven at 425°F for about 20-30 minutes. When they smell nutty and the shells peel back a bit, you’re good to go. Peel them while they’re warm (trust me, it’s easier). If you want to get a little fancy, chop ’em up and toss them into your stuffing for that holiday vibe, or mix them with Brussels sprouts for a nice crunch. You can purée them too…hello, chestnut soup! Or just snack on them as is because why not? They’re sweet and starchy, like little bites of autumn.
Wrapping it up!
Montello is such a beautiful area outside of Treviso Center. It’s also great for hiking, cycling, or a nice “passeggiata”. Seeing all the types of flora and fauna was gorgeous. Just going there gave me this calm and still energy. That’s definitely what I need more of these days. So if you find yourself in Treviso, put Montello on your list to visit!
P.S. Here’s a little video I made of our day trip to Montello. Let me know what you think!
