Savoring Winter: Athens, Chestnuts, and Sweet Memories

We head back from Aeropagus Hill on this lively Saturday afternoon and there’s a festive mood all around us. The street musicians are everywhere, the outdoor restaurants are buzzing, and the energy of Athens is palpable. Street carts are loaded with roasted chestnuts and grilled corn. I step up to the open flame and ask for a bag. A bit pricey here at 5 euros, but since the vendor generously puts a dozen or more in the brown paper bag, so I feel I’m getting my money’s worth.

Holding the warm bag in one hand and removing the shells with the other is the best way I know to eat roasted chestnuts. The shells are expertly slashed so that the delicious meat is exposed and easy to extract. Since we tend to travel in the winter months, I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to enjoy these winter delights.

As always when I indulge in these goodies, time whizzes away and I am transported to my first time tasting roasted chestnuts. We were on a small group tour in Paris in December for our 25th wedding anniversary, and the guide stopped for a moment to buy a piping hot bag for all of us to share while we wandered through the streets of Montmartre. Peeling off the shells and bit of char was a little tricky, but I figured it out. While delicious, I think it was the entire scene that holds a warm place in my heart. The frigid day, the toasty treats, and the sights of the City of Love with my love are a cozy combination.

Can you blame me for wanting to buy a bag and recreate such a wonderful memory each time we explore new cities in winter?