Castañas en Almibar

JUST BEFORE THEIR LEAVES TURN THE COUNTRYSIDE A PIERCING SHADE OF BURNT ORANGE, THE CHESTNUT TREES IN SPAIN RELEASE THEIR NUTS. FROM INSIDE A COARSE PRICKLY CASE COME A FEW SHINY CHESTNUTS, THE LAST REAL CROP OF ABUNDANCE BEFORE WINTER. WALK THE STREETS OF SPAIN WHEN THE AIR BEGINS TO CHILL AND THERE IS A CONSTANT FRAGRANT NOTE — THE AROMA OF CHESTNUTS ROASTING. FAST STREET FOOD IS FUN, BUT CHESTNUTS ARE SERIOUS BUSINESS IN SPAIN. PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF POTATOES THEY WERE THE MAIN SOURCE O