I have found the answer.
When Jared Wilcox and his wife lived down on our corner, Jared planted a Chinese Chestnut tree which is not affected by the blight. It has grown to be 30 or more feet tall. Every year I would find a few full chestnuts, but mostly just small undeveloped ones. The outer shell has sharp needles protruding from the surface.
Now this year, it had a multitude of big nuts. I retrieved many of them. How would I roast them?
I placed a large iron skillet on some "blue-flame" hot coals in our fireplace in the kitchen and placed a metal pie-tin on to cover it. Right away I had a "boom" and then another and another. Even with the lid on several flew out into the kitchen.
So in the woods they probably flew out so the boys could eat them.
We ate several. They were sweet and delicious.
The Editor enjoyed a couple. Remember "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby had "Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire."