Chestnuts

The winds of autumn
blow: yet still green
the chestnut husks.
–Bashō

People of this world
do not notice its wonderful blossoms
the chestnut by the cave
–Bashō

Kuri (Japanese chestnuts) symbolize the coming of the fall season in Japan. The simplest way to eat kuri is to boil or roast the chestnuts.

Yakiguri (roasted chestnuts) can be found in street stands, markets, at festivals or booths in stations. They are sometimes cooked in rice to make kuri-gohan, literally meaning chestnut rice.

It is a commonly found ingredient in Japanese confectioneries such a kuri yokan, a thick jellied dessert cut into blocks made of azuki beans, agar and sugar with chunks of chestnuts inside. They are also found in the seasonal chocolates with kuri fillings.