In Italy, autumn means chestnut festivals more than in any other countries. Chestnut trees drop their typical husks in every corner of our nation, and chestnut festivals, the so-called 'castagnate', are organised almost everywhere. The area of Lake Maggiore is no exception and it is an ideal destination for visiting its beautiful villages or taking a walk in the woods to gather chestnuts.
Visiting the Verbano area at this time of year, you will encounter the classic chestnut festival, in which a huge pan with a hole in the bottom filled with chestnuts is constantly rotated over the flames. Here are some Lake Maggiore chestnut festivals not to be missed.
On Sunday 9th October, a chestnut festival with polenta and roasted chestnuts takes place at the social hut - Alpe Nuovo in Baveno. It can be reached by an approximately 20-minute walk from Mottarone, and by harder hikes from Baveno and Levo.
Other Lake Maggiore chestnut festivals are scheduled in the surrounding area. In Orasso there is the Chestnut and Apple Festival (15th October). In Druogno (Coimo), the 46th edition of the Castagnata Coimese takes place on 7th, 8th and 9th October, with food stands, folklore parades and music. If you like Arona, two other castagnate will take place on 8th and 9th October.
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In addition to the chestnut festivals, it is a tradition in the autumn to take a walk through the chestnut woods to collect chestnuts directly. Chestnut trees are widespread in the Verbano woods. One of the trails that can be used for chestnut picking is the one that starts in Stresa and ends in Belgirate. An easy walk suitable for everyone with non-technical clothing. Another route starts from Orasso up to Monte Vecchio, which is above 1,000 metres, an itinerary through even large chestnut woods that is slightly more demanding.
Chestnut trees are widespread throughout the Mediterranean, on the Atlantic coasts of Southern Europe, on the Alpine arches and as far as the Caspian Sea. A mythical tree and exceptional fruit, it ensured the subsistence of European peoples for millennia, before the arrival of maize and potatoes from the Americas. At one time, the chestnut was the staple of the diet. In pre-agricultural times it nourished man along with other acorns. Later, in Roman times, it became even more widespread through cultivation.
When one goes to a chestnut festival, one often hears chestnuts mentioned, but perhaps not everyone knows the difference between chestnuts and marrons. Firstly, chestnuts are fruits of wild plants while marrons are fruits of cultivated plants. Not only that, chestnut husks almost always contain three fruits, a central, stockier one and two thinner lateral ones. The chestnut husk, on the other hand, contains only one in most cases. The chestnut is therefore often larger and more rounded than chestnuts.
Chestnut trees, also named 'bread tree' by Xenophon for their ability to produce a versatile and nutritionally rich fruit, also have other merits. In fact, most edible mushrooms grow near these plants, including the Boletus edulis, commonly called porcino. This is the best known and most eaten mushroom on our tables. Not only that, chestnut trees also create the ideal soil for the growth of truffles, another prized fruit of our forests.
Chestnuts have always been eaten fresh, dried or ground into flour for the preparation of foods such as polenta or bread. In our families, they are commonly eaten boiled, roasted over the fire - as in chestnut festivals - but can also be candied. Desserts include Montblanc, a classic dessert made with chestnuts, cream, cocoa and rum, and castagnaccio. But the uses of chestnuts in the kitchen are many more, varying according to the region, and range from compotes, to sauces and beer.
Lun - Ven 9/13 - 14/18 Sab 9/13 Domenica - Su appuntamento
Mon - Fri 9/13 - 14/18 Sat 9/13 Sunday - On appointment
Mo - Fr 9/13 - 14/18 Sa 9/13 Sonntag - Nach Vereinbarung