Vintage WDW Question-Roasted Chestnuts on Christmas??

[minniebride]

I have this vague memory of buying "chestnuts roasting on an open fire" from a cart in one of the Deluxe resorts' lobby near Christmas time, back in the 1990's.....I'm thinking it was at the GF, but I'm not sure.

Does anyone remember this at all or am I losing my mind?

 

[NC State Tigger]

They were available at the Studios a few years back, but were not able to get them the past 2 years.

Not sure about any of the resorts. I would be interested in knowing if there is somewhere to buy them. My DD was bummed the last 2 Decembers 'cause she couldn't get them. Would love to surprise her this December.

 

[DOOM1001]

I got roasted chestnuts and hot cider at the Grand Floridian during the holidays about 2 years ago,they were complimentary though.

 

[Seahunt]

Yep, at the Grand Floridian near the main entrance.

I waited in a long line for a few, but after all that it turned out that I didn't even like them. (I'm still glad I got to try them though!)

Here's a couple pictures someone posted on their site:

http://thepixietrail.blogspot.com/2011/01/chestnuts-roasting.html

 

[DisMN]

What does a roasted chestnut taste like anyway?

 

[Dizzyworld]

I love chestnuts but have no idea how to describe how they taste.

 

[skier_pete]

They were giving them out for free outside the Grand Floridian Xmas of 2009. (Actual date would be December 14, 2009)

One of the nastiest things I've ever tasted, but if you like it...there you go.

 

[minniebride]

Thank you!! Yes I remember now that they were free. This was definitely back in the 1990's though because I distinctly remember being in college still. They must have been doing this for a while now. Well, I hope they do it this year even if it is gross~it's such a festive thing to do!

 

[POOHsie]

Every year, without fail, our family tradition is to put chestnuts in our holiday bread-based stuffing (not corn meal). You buy chestnuts at the grocery store, cut an "X" into the nut with a small knife (to expose the nut inside). Par boil the nuts. Cool. Peel the shell and the dark brown skin (like a peanut skin). Cut the nuts into bite-size chunks and add to the stuffing mix before cooking. The roasted chestnuts will add a lovely, memorable dimension to your stuffing.

 

[DOOM1001]

The taste is not good.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yep. Got them at the GF in 08 and again last year.

While I was waiting in the lobby for my daughter to finish at the Alice tea party, they also came around the lobby with gingerbread samples.

 

[RaySharpton]

I got them at the causeway between the Swan and Dolphin with Santa and Ms. Claus their for a photo op. Below is a link to the other activities last year at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts in December when I was there. Ray

http://land.allears.net/blogs/dnews/walt_disney_world/resorts/walt_disney_world_swan_and_dol/

 

[Pats Dragon]

There used to be a very Dickens-character looking elderly gentleman giving them out at GF. It was very much Christmasy but they are special while not tasting great.

 

[Indio]

While I've not had roasted chestnuts at WDW, we did try this at home one year. We roasted them in our fireplace popcorn cooker - a metal box with a long handle. It was very hot trying to cook them. To us, they tasted kind of like a baked potato with nothing on it. Very bland. I actually liked the raw ones better! But, we did it once - can mark that off the list!

 

[sydneysmom]

Every year, without fail, our family tradition is to put chestnuts in our holiday bread-based stuffing (not corn meal). You buy chestnuts at the grocery store, cut an "X" into the nut with a small knife (to expose the nut inside). Par boil the nuts. Cool. Peel the shell and the dark brown skin (like a peanut skin). Cut the nuts into bite-size chunks and add to the stuffing mix before cooking. The roasted chestnuts will add a lovely, memorable dimension to your stuffing.

We do this too !!!! IT makes the stuffing taste SOOOOOO good !!! (although now I'm in the south and they don't seem to sell chestnuts down here... it's quite sad)

but they've got a sweet taste if they're done right and they are really good! I don't know if I'd eat them by themselves, but in stuffing, they're fantastic.