I love them! I’m about to roast some. Bought them after seeing your post.
Discussion
yes, roast seems the best way
boiled is ok though, in salty water
I briefly boil them, then roast. Cold water, bring to boil, roast 20min. Tender inside, but with that wonderful roasted flavor and a bit of a crunch here and there
I think I will need to try just bbq. I saw them sold on street corners in Budapest and Sofia in winter, usually on charcoal or gas. I like charcoal.
Boiled they are nice but I prefer a bit of crunch. Horse chestnuts are an Asian staple and I like the texture of them.
I can't really eat a lot though. But it reminds me I should eat more from the batch I have in the fridge.
Overall I think they are a nice side dish. They grow everywhere in the temperate zone. I remember walking past gazillions of them along the main street of some town in central-eastern Italy also.
Idk why I confused them with hazelnuts but they are about the same colour.