Sunday, 12 December 2010

Christmas Chestnut Balls - Boċċi Tal-Qastan


My parents used to prepare these confections during Christmastime. My brothers and I would sneakily devour them as they were the only source of alcohol we were allowed haha. Give them a go, there are really worth it! You will never stop making them. So the ingredients are...
  • 400g fresh Chestnuts
  • Peel of one orange
  • Peel of one tangerine, clementine or satsuma
  • Pinch ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon caster sugar
  • Water
  • Whisky or sherry, to taste
  • Plain milk or dark chocolate, to decorate
  • Desiccated coconut, to decorate
How to...
  1. Start by carefully making a cross shaped incision on each of the flat chestnut sides.  Put the chestnuts into a deep pot and cover with water. Add the sugar, cocoa, citrus peels, cloves and cinnamon. Stir well. Bring to the boil and simmer on medium heat for about 30-35 minutes. 
  2. Using a slotted spoon, take out the chestnuts and set aside. Let cool down a bit. Peel the chestnuts, maybe whilst having a cuppa! 
  3. Put the peeled chestnuts into a bowl, add the sherry/whisky and mash the mixture up with a masher until you get a smooth consistency.
  4. Shape the mashed chestnuts into balls and set aside.
  5. Now, melt the chocolate in a glass bowl on top of pan of boiling water.
  6. Now using a toothpick, dip the balls into the melted chocolate and then roll into desiccated coconuts.
  7. Leave to cool and serve!
Enjoy!!!
R & A





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