Chestnuts (genus Castanea) are sweet, shelled nuts native to North America and now cultivated worldwide. They have a starchy, carbohydrate-rich interior with much less oil than most other tree nuts.
Historically, chestnuts were a staple crop in forested agricultural areas, and were an important source of carbohydrates. They were used as a subsitute for wheat flour and played a role similar to that of potatoes in some Mediterranean regions. The association with poverty and subsistence farming led to a decline in their popularity, until they were re-introduced as a seasonal confection.
In Europe and the Philippines, roasted chestnuts are a winter treat, sold by street vendors or enjoyed at home. In France, candied chestnuts called marrons glacés are a popular confectionery item, used in puddings, cakes, or elaborate desserts like vermicelles and Mont Blanc. In Japan, chestnuts are part of the New Year's celebratory menu, as for example in kuri kinton.