This delectable jam, also known as chestnut spread, goes by various names in French: confiture de marrons, confiture de chataignes, and creme de marrons. Practically unknown in the United States, it is a favorite in France. Made like any jam by cooking fruit with sugar and in this case vanilla, it is excellent on toast. And because of its thick and smooth texture, it also goes well with ice cream, yogurt, or fromage blanc. Some use it in place of chestnut puree to make a Mont Blanc. Of course, you may also find yourself eating straight from the jar!

Once widespread in France, chestnut trees, or chataigniers, are now becoming scarce as land has been given over to more profitable crops like grapes. Today the number of regions producing chestnuts has dwindled - Ardeche, Corsica, and Limousin are the principal producers of chestnuts today.

French import, generous 13 oz jar.