I love a fall festival! What’s not to love about crisp mornings, changing leaves and a theme? Lately, I’ve been adventuring out to join in the fun at some sort of fall festival every weekend! It’s become a game to conclude the weeks work on Friday and determine how far I must travel to have a fall-y experience.

Sunday, 26 October - Chestene Chilbi Greppen

The fall sunshine was on full display on the Chestnut Rivera, specifically the little town of Geppen. First of all, how fabulous is that? The Chestnut Rivera?!?!? I thought I was attending a simple chestnut festival. No, I was at a professional affair, founded by the Pro Kastanie Zentralschweiz with the aim of promoting the sweet chestnut in Central Switzerland and its market economy.

A little about the Chestnut Rivera towns of Weggis and Greppen.

The sweet chestnut was highly prized in medieval Switzerland. It was once the "bread tree" for poor people. The fruit harvested until the early 1950s, after which the tree began losing its popularity. 120 years ago, chestnuts produced more revenue than milk did in Weggis. The tranquil village lies on the eastern shore of the Küssnacht arm of Lake Lucerne. The exceptional location offers wonderful sunsets. The village center, with its wonderful, renovated church, is on the registry of Swiss heritage sites.

Imagine, I had originally planned to attend a different chestnut festival however plans changed, and I am happy they did as the Greppen Chestnut festival was by far a wonderful choice. The day started with just a nip of cold in the air and full of fog. Fortunately, the fog burned off leaving a bright and sunny day to enjoy all things chestnut. I mean ALL things Chestnut. Chestnut soup, chestnut cake (which now I’m determined to try and master) chestnut pasta, chestnut puree, chestnut flour… I said all things chestnut! I myself am not a chestnut-a-holic unlike a particular mother I have and who eats NOTHING to excess ever… except for chestnuts.

When we lived in the Northeastern part of America my mom would procure some chestnuts in the fall and winter, pierce them with a little knife and roast them in the fireplace. I can still hear the boom-pop and my mom running downstairs to rescue her precious snacks from the fire. Imagine, her surprise when visiting me in Zurich so many years later to discover she had landed in a chestnut Mecca! While the nuts aren’t my absolute favorite thing, they remind me of my mom and those autumn come winter days in my childhood.

Purchases at the chestnut festival included a chestnut bundt cake (a bit on the dry side) chestnut flour, chestnut puree and chestnut granola (which I will be sending to mom). The best purchases though were two cookbooks featuring a variety of chestnut recipes which will definitely make an appearance at my holiday table.

Last year about this time I fell in love with a chestnut cake and have been on the hunt for something similar ever since. What I am after is a uniformly nutty dark colored cake and with the perfect not too moist crumb and not carried by heavy spice. Just simple and deliciously springy and moist. You know the sort of cake, just a hint sweet so that it compliments a cup of tea just so. I dream of revisiting the bakery, forcing my way (all sharp elbows) into the back and accosting the baker to demand the recipe.

Do you have any chestnut recipe’s you particularly like? What’s your favorite fall fare? Pumpkins, apples, chestnuts? Something else? Leave a comment below.