It’s believed that the European chestnut originated in Asia Minor and that the ancient Greeks introduced chestnuts to the Mediterranean region around 1,000 B.C. Chestnuts were spread far and wide by the Romans, who extended the cultivation of this nut into central and northwest Europe. It’s believed that these nuts were originally given the Latin name Castanea, named after the Roman town where the tree was common.
According to popular lore, chestnut roasting was common during the 16th century in Rome, and they were sold by street vendors. The tradition of roasting chestnuts then made its way into the United States, where it became popular and was commonly associated with the Christmas season. In 2015, this holiday was created by an unknown source to celebrate these tasty nuts.