Autumn may still feel like summer in the Serrania de Ronda, but one much-loved seasonal ritual has returned: castañas asadas, or roasted chestnuts, are back on the streets of Ronda and in villages across the Genal Valley. For many, a warm paper cone is the perfect way to enjoy an Andalucian autumn—and it costs just €1.50.
A familiar aroma returns to Ronda
Chestnut sellers have reopened their traditional stall in Ronda’s Plaza del Socorro, filling nearby streets with the smoky scent of chestnuts roasting over embers. Vendors cook the nuts in a perforated pan above charcoal, giving them a crisp shell and soft, sweet centre.
Preparation is simplicity at it’s best: good-sized chestnuts are scored before roasting, then finished with a pinch of salt. A cone costs €1.50 in Ronda, making it an affordable treat during a walk through the beautiful old town.
Where the chestnuts come from
Malaga’s chestnut harvest is under way in the Genal Valley, one of the province’s and Andalucia’s most important chestnut-producing areas. It is also one of the earliest, so its chestnuts are among the first to reach markets and street stalls.
Pujerra, Jubrique, Igualeja and Parauta are among the villages most closely tied to the crop, which began in late September. This year’s harvest is expected to reach only around 800,000 kilos in the valley, compared with roughly four million in a normal season—an estimated fall of more than 80 per cent caused by drought and extreme summer heat. Quality is reported to be excellent, but quantities are much lower.
Where to enjoy them now
For an immediate taste of the season, head to Plaza del Socorro in Ronda, where the traditional chestnut stand is already operating. From mid-October, bars and ventas across the Genal Valley also serve chestnuts in many forms: roasted in paper cones, added to soups and pork stews, or used in cakes and desserts.
Festivals to plan for
Jubrique is preparing its chestnut-focused gastronomic days in mid-November, and Pujerra’s Fiesta de la Castaña is expected in late October or early November, though final dates habe not yet been cofirmed. The celebration traditionally includes large quantities of chestnuts roasted over wood fires, local sweets, young wine, folk music and an artisan market.
Roasted chestnuts are more than a snack; they are a small piece of local heritage, so grab some change off the kitchen side and head out to enjoy a taste of Autumn.