Braised Chestnuts and Shallots – Kastana Stifado

4.67 from 6 votes

Chestnuts, one of the oldest foods in the eastern Mediterranean, known to the ancient and modern Greeks alike by the same name, kastano, have always been an important food. This unusual Greek recipe, from my book My Greek Table, is one of my favorites. It is an old country dish from Arcadia in the Peloponnese. Serve it with Greek or other noodles, or on its own.

4.67 from 6 votes

Braised Chestnuts and Shallots – Kastana Stifado

By Diane Kochilas

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Servings

Christmas, Main Courses, Peloponnese, Recipes, Thanksgiving, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 45

Servings

Christmas, Main Courses, Peloponnese, Recipes, Thanksgiving, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Ingredients

¼ cup /60 ml extra-virgin Greek olive oil
10 small shallots
3 garlic cloves chopped]
1 cup 180 g coarsely chopped fresh or canned tomatoes
3 cups peeled defrosted frozen or vacuum-packed chestnuts
⅔ cup 160 ml dry red wine
2 to 3 tablespoons Greek balsamic vinegar
5 or 6 fresh thyme sprigs
1 bay leaf
1 cinnamon stick
4 allspice berries

Instructions

In a wide shallow medium pot, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the whole shallots and cook until lightly caramelized, about 20 minutes. Stir in the garlic. Add the tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15 minutes to thicken slightly.
Add the chestnuts, wine, vinegar, thyme, bay leaf, cinnamon, and allspice and cook until the chestnuts are tender and the pot juices are dense and thick. Remove and discard the thyme, bay leaf, cinnamon, and allspice. Serve.
This is great on winter holiday tables and makes a wonderful alternative if you have any vegan guests.

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Visit my online shop for a wide selection of Greek single-origin artisanal foods, from honeys to wild herbs, olives, olive oils, pistachios, heirloom grain products, fruit preserves and more.

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Diane Kochilas is one of the world’s foremost experts on Greek and Mediterranean cuisine. She is the host, creator and co-producer of My Greek Table, the award-winning 13-episode per season cooking-travel show about Greece that airs nationally on Public Television. The series is in its third season.

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Braised Chestnuts and Shallots – Kastana Stifado