Chestnut

We can thank Vic Bergeron — owner of Trader Vic's restaurant, in San Francisco — for bringing rumaki into mainstream dining culture. He claimed that this delicious hors d'oeuvre came from Hawaii, with Chinese roots and a Japanese name. Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr

Active time: 1 1/2 hr Start to finish: 2 hr

Serve this stuffing alongside your Christmas turkey, ham, goose or duck. Add an extra dose of chestnuts to your meal by offering the Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts and Bacon.

This stuffing is perfect for the Roast Turkey with Herb Butter and Caramelized Onion-Balsamic Gravy

This warming and satisfying winter soup is a delicious starter, and the vegetables add color and sweetness.

In typical Alsatian fashion, this cabbage has a delicious sweet-and-sour flavor.

Sortilège is a blend of Canadian whiskey and maple syrup. Here it infuses the chestnuts with maple flavor and picks up the sweetness of the green beans. Active time: 1 hr Start to finish: 1 hr

Zuppa di Castagne e Cavolo Nero Cavolo nero is a member of the kale family. Between farm stands, specialty produce markets, and natural foods stores it is available year-round. To find it, be aware of its many aliases: Tuscan kale, black cabbage, lacinato, and dinosaur kale. Its rich, sweet, almost meaty flavor will have you hooked from the first bite.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Crown of Shrimp with Truffle Sauce . Active time: 20 min Start to finish: 30 min

Turkey Stuffed with Chestnuts and Prunes This is definitely my favorite way to do turkey because it never comes out dry. My wife, Susi, is always upset when she sees me prepare this abstract-looking sausage of a gobbler, but she's happy when she eats the tender and succulent meat and stuffing, all encased in a crisp and well-seasoned skin. The advantages of this method are twofold: it's in the oven only for an hour, freeing up cooking space for other dishes; and carving is simplicity itself — just cut straight through, like a regular roast.

This recipe is an accompaniment for Chocolate Chestnut Torte with Chocolate Cognac Mousse. Active time: 25 min Start to finish: 1 1/2 hr