Chocolate Castagnaccio

Chocolate castagnaccio is a typical Tuscan dessert of autumn, but with a bit of imagination, we can add a touch of originality with some chocolate. Here is the recipe for chocolate castagnaccio:

Ingredients

• 250 g chestnut flour
• 50 g dark chocolate chips
• 350 ml water
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 50 g brown sugar (optional, it can give a sweeter touch)
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
• 1 pinch of salt
• 100 g coarsely chopped walnuts
• 50 g pine nuts
• Raisins to taste (soaked in water or rum, if you like)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. In a bowl, mix the chestnut flour with water to obtain a smooth mixture without lumps; it should not be too liquid.
3. Add the extra virgin olive oil, brown sugar (if desired), a pinch of salt, and mix well.
4. Drain the raisins and add them to the mixture along with the chocolate chips, chopped walnuts, and pine nuts. Mix well all the ingredients.
5. Pour the batter into an oiled baking pan and level it with a spatula.
6. Sprinkle with fresh rosemary needles on top.
7. Bake the castagnaccio for about 30-40 minutes or until the surface is crispy.
8. Allow cooling before cutting into squares and serving.

The chocolate makes this dish even more delicious, especially when paired with the rustic flavor of chestnut flour and the aroma of rosemary.

Curiosity

Castagnaccio is a quintessential poor man’s dessert, characterized by the use of chestnut flour, a widely available ingredient in the Italian mountain areas where chestnuts were once one of the main food sources. The addition of chocolate is a modern variation that enriches the original flavor of the recipe.