Sweet chestnuts

Unlike horse chestnuts (conkers), which are poisonous to eat, sweet chestnuts are edible but only when cooked. They are traditionally incorporated into stuffing and served as part of the Christmas meal, but also make a tasty treat when they are roasted. They are typically in season from October for a number of weeks, and can be easily gathered from their prickly husks, which accumulate en masse under the tree. They are a good source of protective antioxidants, and are a useful source of fibre an...