12 sweet chestnut recipes

The flavor was combination was excellent. Next time will add some whole dried chili peppers to give it a bit more kick. We served it over brown rice and could hardly stop eating it.

Soft steamed buns filled with mushrooms, water chestnuts, bell pepper, and hoisin sauce, served with a soy-chili dipping sauce. Homemade Chinese bao that freeze beautifully for later.

Kona Coast pizza on English muffins with Hawaiian ham and pineapple, hoisin-spiked sauce, water chestnuts, and mozzarella. A quick tropical pizza snack ready in 15 minutes.

Vegetarian sweet and sour stir-fry loaded with snow peas, broccoli, enoki mushrooms, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and tropical fruit (pineapple, mango, mandarin orange) over rice.

Crunchy marinated vegetable salad with corn, green beans, peas, bean sprouts, and water chestnuts in a tangy hot vinegar-dill dressing. Make-ahead Southern-style potluck favorite.

Layers of steamed cauliflower, sliced tomatoes, and water chestnuts smothered in a homemade cheddar cheese sauce with basil and a hint of cayenne. Topped with seasoned breadcrumbs and baked until bubbly and golden.

Microwave roasted chestnuts ready in under three minutes. Score an X on the flat side, zap on high, and peel while still warm for sweet, tender chestnuts without an oven.

Filipino lumpia filled with seasoned pork, shrimp, dried mushrooms, and water chestnuts, fried golden and crispy. Served with sweet and sour dipping sauce.

Low calorie seven layer salad with crisp lettuce, sweet peas, reduced-fat cheddar, turkey bacon, scallions, water chestnuts, and hard-boiled egg. Vinaigrette on the side keeps it light. A potluck classic, slimmed down without losing the layers.

Bacon-wrapped rumaki with water chestnuts, pineapple, and bay scallops glazed in honey teriyaki sauce. A retro party appetizer that's crispy, sweet, and savory in one bite.

Blanched cauliflower and cabbage tossed in a warm sweet-and-sour sauce with pineapple, water chestnuts, soy, malt vinegar, and sherry. A crunchy Asian-inspired side salad served cool.

Shibu Kawa-Ni: Japanese chestnuts simmered first in green tea, then in a light sugar and soy sauce syrup. A refined, minimalist appetizer with just 4 ingredients and subtle, earthy sweetness.