Pastel de Castanha de Marvão is a typical sweet from the region of Marvão, in the district of Portalegre, Alentejo. This is an area known for the production of chestnuts, which gave rise to the Pastel de Castanha (chestnut pastry).
As it is a seasonal fruit, so is the production of Pastel de Castanho, which is prepared during the fall season.
Marvão’s chestnut pastry was nominated for one of the 7 Sweet Wonders of Portugal in 2019. It didn’t make the finalists, but it was important for the Alentejo region.
It was 2014, at the XXXI Chestnut Fair, when the jam was presented to the public for the first time. In a challenge issued to the Portalegre School of Hospitality and Tourism, Chef Cristiano Louro was responsible for its creation. With the mission of promoting the Marvão chestnut and its producers, this was the chef’s main mission.
The traditional recipe involves combining cooked, crushed chestnuts with sugar, cinnamon, lemon zest and, in some cases, ground almonds. The end result is a sweet and aromatic pastry, much appreciated for dessert or as an accompaniment to coffee or tea.
The high production of chestnuts in the Marvão region makes the Pastel de Castanha a unique and delicious specialty, delighting those who visit the region during the chestnut picking season.
