As winter approaches and chestnut trees begin to bear their fruit, the streets of Galicia (the most north-westerly region of Spain) begin to fill up with roast chestnut sellers. The distinctive smell of chestnuts hangs from the air throughout the shopping precincts of the region’s towns and cities.

In Galicia, chestnuts, or castañas in Spanish, are not just another seasonal foodstuff, but a celebrated part of local culture. The Galicians (or Gallegos) hold a special party to celebrate the chestnut harvest known as magosto. The name itself is of unknown origin and accompanies a little used verb, magostar, which means to roast chestnuts.

The party is particularly popular throughout schools in Galicia where pupils will each bring a bag of chestnuts that will be roasted on a barbeque or an open fire (una hoguera).

Before the introduction of the potato from South America, the chestnut was one of the regions staple foodstuffs. By drying the chestnut, it could be conserved and used all year round.

**Thanks go to Javier Alcina (http://www.javieralcina.com) for the photograph