Harvesting Chestnuts on Monte Barro

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Ciao, I’m Celia, your travel advisor in Italy! I'm a professional travel writer and itinerary designer. I share my local insights and knowledge with travelers looking to go beyond the ordinary. Ask a question or request a custom travel itinerary. Contact me.

How do you say Chestnuts in Italian? Castagne 

I have to admit, I had no idea that chestnuts came from these spiky pom-poms. I really never thought about it. You really must be careful walking through the woods at this time of year. The wind sways the trees above and you can hear the thump-thump of the nuts falling. The spikes are hard and dry like a prickly cactus. You really don’t want to be hit in the head with one of those!


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View from mid-way up Monte Barro / ITM Images 

Show me something natural!

Monte Barro is a large rock formation emerging from the banks of the Adda River here in Lecco. It’s one of the first pre-Alp mountains and hits a height of 922 meters. Easily hikable, even for an inexperienced hiker like myself.

The most accessible trail from Lecco is across the old bridge Ponte Azzone Visconti. There is a little alley way leading to stone steps. Just start walking up the steps.

The trail  starts from Via san Michele, Pescate across the old bridge from Lecco
Follow the stone steps up the trail  (opposite Bar Fresco).  / Selfie

The colors and mild temperatures of autumn offer a pleasant walk up the well-marked trails. In late October the chestnut trees start dropping their spiky pom-poms which fall to the ground and break open. Inside are chestnuts. Dark,  redish-brown, teardrop shaped nuts that are excellent for roasting or boiling.

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Natural chestnut shells /ITM images

It’s tradition

Chestnuts naturally fall from the trees late October to November.

I met a family on the trail. It seemed to me to be a dad, a boy about 9 years old and the grandma and grandpa. Grandma was shouting out to the boy where to look for the chestnuts while the dad and grandpa were off in the nearby field, chatting. The boy had a blue backpack full of chestnuts and brought them over to grandma who dumped them on the ground and then carefully selected which ones were good to bring home. The boy pointed to the hillside and triumphantly told me “I went all the way up there!”.  I asked the woman how she knew which ones were good or not. “They have to be firm. Then you must look at the color. Some of them are too small, they will be too bitter.” I then asked her about cooking techniques. The grandpa who was within earshot shouted over “These are only good for boiling!” Grandma and Grandpa seemed to disagree. I didn’t want to take up any more of their time, so I bid them a good afternoon. I happily took the extra plastic bag they offered me so that I could bring some home for myself. They carried on with their selections and wished me luck with my harvesting.

Cooking Chestnuts

You can roast, boil or grill chestnuts. Boil with the skins for about 25-30 minutes (depending on size). Peel and eat.
Roast on an open fire or in the oven on 150°C for about 20-25 minutes. Be sure to cut a slit on them so they don’t explode in the oven.


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You can find chestnuts at Il Ronco Agriturismo in nearby Garlate.
Chestnuts are roasted over open flames / Pixabay

 

Happy trails!

Coming soon:
I will be updating more info about hiking on Monte Barro…stay tuned!

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Article
Copyright (c) Celia Abernethy
Photos by ITM Images are by Celia Abernethy and can be licensed on Picfair

 

Looking for help planning travel to Milan & Lake Como?
Ciao, I’m Celia, your travel advisor in Italy! Ask a question or request a custom travel itinerary. I am also available as an assistant and translator for business, shopping and events. Contact me.

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Celia Abernethy

Originally from New York, Celia now spends her time between Milan and Lake Como sharing her discoveries and experiences living in Italy. Follow @CeliaAbernethy on Twitter

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