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Smoked Chestnut Soup

Smoked Chestnut Soup

Posted on December 14, 2021February 27, 2022 by Jen

100 Horses, a Queen, & a Tree….

A Bit of History

Personally, chestnuts always evoke memories of Florence, Italy for me. In the winter time, the aroma of roasted chestnuts lingers in the air from the many street vendors’ carts. It is by far my favorite Italian street food. In my recipe for Smoked Chestnut Soup, the combination of sweet and smoky flavors definitely takes me back to Italy!

The oldest known chestnut tree thrives on the slopes of Mount Etna in Italy. In 1780, the circumference of the tree measured 190 ft and is thought to be between 2,000 and 4,000 years old. Imagine counting the rings on that tree! This particular chestnut tree, the Castagno dei Cento Cavalli, also boasts historical fame. Legend maintains that a Queen of Aragon and her entourage of 100 knights and horses sheltered from a severe thunderstorm under the tree’s branches. Ever since, the tree has been known as “Hundred Horse Chestnut Tree” (Castagno dei Cento Cavalli in Italian).

About the Recipe: Smoked Chestnut Soup

I guarantee that your guests will not stop talking about this showstopper of a holiday soup. Simply place your prepared butterkin squash/pumpkin and chestnuts in the smoker or on the grill. I like to set mine at a temperature of 250 degrees F with pecan wood and smoke for about 90 minutes to two hours. The squash should be tender and falling apart and the chestnuts should be roasted but not too crunchy. Both fresh chestnuts and vacuumed sealed (pre cooked) chestnuts work well here.

After the smoking process is complete the soup comes together in a snap. Cook some leeks and garlic in a bit of olive oil with a pinch of Calabrian chilis for heat. Then add broth, beans (you can either cook yourself or use canned), smoked squash and chestnuts. If you are soaking beans and cooking them at home, I highly recommend fava beans for their texture and taste. Also, don’t forget to save the cooking liquid and use as your broth. It adds another depth of flavor. Simmer for 10 minutes and then blend to creamy perfection.

Serve as a holiday starter course paired with cranberry sauce topped crostini bites and a sprig of fresh rosemary.

Smoked Chestnut Soup
Smoked Chestnut Soup

Smoked Chestnut Soup

A holiday showstopper that will stun your guests. A perfect combination of sweet and smoky to kick off a special autumn or winter feast. Featuring smoked chestnuts and smoked pumpkin or butterkin squash with leeks, garlic, and just a touch of spice.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 5 cups smoked pumpkin or butterkin squash*
  • 14 oz smoked chestnuts*
  • 2 cups leeks chopped
  • 1 tbsp Calabrian chilis in oil (optional, substitute red pepper flakes)
  • 2 oz white wine
  • 6 cloves garlic peeled
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked fava beans (substitute cannellini beans if needed)
  • 7 cups vegetable stock (or fava bean stock if cooking beans at home. See note)
  • 2 tsp thyme
  • 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • In the bottom of a large pot heat oil over medium.
  • Add chopped leeks and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Add garlic and chilis and cook for 2 additional minutes. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.
  • Add white wine and stir to deglaze the pan. Cook approximately 1 minute until most of the wine evaporates.
  • Add remaining ingredients and bring to a low simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and transfer to a blender or use an immersion blender. Process until smooth or desired consistency reached.
  • Taste and add salt and pepper to taste.

Notes

  • Cooking Fava Beans: I like to use my Instapot to on the soup/broth setting at 10 minutes to cook beans. I use 1 cup of soaked fava beans and 8 cups of water. After beans are cooked, reserve the liquid for soup stock.
  • Smoked Pumpkin Recipe
    • Place prepared pumpkin pieces in a baking dish and coat with a bit of olive oil. I like to set my grill at about 250 degrees F and smoke the pumpkins for approximately 90 minutes. 
  • Smoked Chestnuts: 
    • Simply smoke the chestnuts with the pumpkins on the grill until browned but not crunchy. 
Keyword creamy smoked chestnut soup, holiday soup, plant based smoked chestnut soup, smoked chestnut soup, ultratruffle holiday recipes, ultratruffle smoked chestnut soup, vegan smoked chestnut soup, winter soup

Smoked Pumpkin Recipe link here.

Try these other Ultratruffle favorties:

No-Bake Peppermint Mocha Granola Bars, Orange Ginger Pomegranate Vinaigrette with Fennel Salad, Baked Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal, or Silky Kabocha Squash Lemongrass Soup with Ginger & Quinoa.

Strawberry Mint Basil Cucumber Salad

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Slow Food, Less Effort, 1 Ingredient at a Time

Are you striving to make a lifestyle change or looking to discover plant-focused recipes the whole family will love?

My name is Jen. I am a wife, mom, and a pharmacist. I love to cook for my family, hike, run, and read about history. I enjoy eating fresh, seasonal, locally available produce. In addition to endurance trail runs and long bike rides, I will happily set out on foraging hikes for mushrooms and truffles.

Waiting for the seasons to change, fruits to ripen, vegetables to mature, or truffles to reach their peak (7-11 years) is an endurance sport in itself.  Nonetheless, the time and effort spent is well worth crossing that finish line and enjoying a delicious, healthy meal.

I always say the slower you run, the more you enjoy the trail. Food is the same. Cooking together in the kitchen with freshly harvested fruits and vegetables is all about taking life slower and enjoying the process and experience. Plant-based, healthy food for the whole family with less effort, so you can slow down and enjoy life!

Disclaimer: This website is for sharing recipes and cooking techniques that I use in my kitchen. It is not intended as medical advice. Ingredient information is for general knowledge only. Please consult your physician for medical questions and concerns regarding your personal health.

All rights reserved. Copyright pending. Recipes/photographs may not be copied and/or re-posted as an original work without express written consent by website owner.

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