Be careful to not get pinched by the chestnut's spiny outer jacket.

Ombretta: One of my greatest memories growing up in Tuscany was going to pick chestnuts and it's really something I want to share with Douglas. He's from Los Angeles, where they don't have any seasons, just sun!

Douglas: It's amazing. If you get in your car and drive into the hills of Tuscany you'll discover that the roads are lined with chestnut trees. In most cases you'll know where to stop because you'll see cars parked on the side of the road and people out there picking.

Ombretta: Bring a basket with you and be careful that you don't get pinched by the spines covering the chestnuts!

Douglas: It's something great to do with friends. If you have a knife you can peel away the outer shell and eat them raw.

Ombretta: Or you can take them home and roast them on the fire! Frugiate!

Douglas: I consider fall the best season in Tuscany. On the weekends nearly all hillside towns hold festivals, called Sagre, to celebrate everything from truffles to mushrooms to chestnuts.

Ombretta: Which is where we went!

Douglas: It was unbelievable. People boiling chestnuts, roasting them and making pancakes.

Ombretta: That's called castagnaccio.

Douglas: I was such a natural that they even asked me to lend a hand.

Ombretta: Yeah, right. You made one and you burned it!