Julie Friend Archives - Italy Travel and Life

Chestnuts roasting: The chestnut festival in Vallerano, Italy

Posted on October 28, 2026 | by Italia!

Chestnuts roasting in street food pan in Italy, Vallerano

Julie Friend heads to Vellerano, in the province of Viterbo, for a festival that proves the humble chestnut is not just for Christmas in Italy Clinging to the side of Mount Cimino in the province of Viterbo, is the hilltop town of Vallerano. Perched 400 metres above sea level, the air up here has that […]

Chestnut and Chocolate Cake Recipe

Posted on October 28, 2026 | by Italia Travel & Life

Chestnuts and chocolate are a winning cake combination in this delicious recipe for torta di castagne e cioccolato… Chestnut flour is a great gluten-free alternative, giving cakes and biscuits a delicious nutty background flavour; and in many European countries, such as Italy, France and Spain, chestnut spread or jam is found slathered on bread and […]