Chestnut Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Preparation

1. Pre-heat the oven to 400F. Grease or line with parchment paper a small ovenproof casserole or gratin dish just big enough to hold the potato halves in one layer.
2. With a sharp knife, lightly cross–hatch the cut sides of the sweet potatoes. Take 2 teaspoons of the olive oil and with it brush each cut side with oil. Wrap individually in foil and set on a baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the flesh is soft, and easily pierced with a fork. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool slightly. Raise the heat to 450F.
3. Carefully scoop out the flesh from the sweet potatoes into a medium size bowl, making sure not to pierce the skins. Set the skins aside. In a separate bowl mix the breadcrumbs and the rosemary together for the topping. Set aside.
4. Tip into the sweet potato flesh the chopped chestnuts, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, a grind or two of black pepper and a pinch of salt. Mash together until well blended. Stuff the reserved skins with this mixture and gently lay them side-by-side in the prepared dish, filling side up. Sprinkle with the breadcrumb topping. Drizzle with the remaining oil. Return to the oven and bake 10-15 minutes or until the topping has colored slightly. Serve.

Ann's Tips and Tricks

If you aren’t on a bland diet, you can mince a medium shallot and sauté it in an extra teaspoon of olive oil and a little salt until just caramelized. Add to the mashed sweet potato along with the chestnuts.