São Martinho | Chestnut season | sofia catita world

Today in Portugal we celebrate São Martinho (Saint Martin's day) It is a holiday honoring Martin of Tours, a 4th century Roman soldier who is known for a certain miracle. Riding on horseback in a snowstorm, Martin came upon a nearly naked beggar. Not having any money or food, Martin took his sword, cut his cloak in half and gave the cloth to the beggar. Legend has it that clouds dispersed, the sun came out, and Jesus said to the angels, “Here is Martin, the Roman soldier who is not baptized; he has clothed me.”
Over the centuries, St. Martins Day, in late Autumn, has evolved into a celebration of the harvest. In Portugal, Dia de São Martinho has become a day to celebrate the maturation of the year’s wine production. On this day in many Portuguese communities, a large party is held. A bonfire is built, recently-harvested chestnuts are roasted, and the first wines of the season are tasted. This is celebration festival is known as a magusto (believed to come from the Latin magnus ustus or “great fire”).

If you’re in Portugal on November 11, you’ll want to be at a magusto. To find a magusto, check with the information center of your nearby town. Or, many Portuguese restaurants will offer special menus and events. Also, inquire at your local wine merchant who is sure to know where to find the first tastings of this year’s wine production. As they say in Portugal: É dia de São Martinho. Comem-se castanhas; prova-se o vinho! (“It is St. Martin’s Day. We’ll eat chestnuts; we’ll taste the wine.”).

In Lisbon the day is mostly an excuse for a party, often in the schools as well as with family. The chestnut sellers do a brisk business at this time of year, and a few companies sponsor giveaways of free chestnuts, for the publicity. Many restaurants also offer seasonal dishes, such as meat roasted with chestnuts, which are often delicious.
If you happen to be visiting Lisbon this time of year, buy uma dúzia (a dozen) from one of the outdoor chestnut vendors and savour them while walking the streets of the Baixa. The crisp sunny days of St Martin’s summer await you…

I also celebrated São Martinho at my cozy home, nice and warm with family... Here we get it done in the tradicional way...

São Martinho at home - Table setup

Peeled roasted Chestnuts, yammmsss...

Raw Chestnut after they are picked out off the shell

Out of the oven...

The fastest way of cooking yummy chestnuts is boiling them with cinnamon sticks, fennel and salt, or you can just roast them in the oven with sea salt...make sure you cut a small incision on the skin so they don't explode...ouch!!!!