Yields 20 appetizers

This simple but tasty appetizer works best with fresh chestnuts. For quicker cooking, broil the water chestnuts for 5–6 minutes instead of baking.

20 fresh water chestnuts

½ cup soy sauce

10 slices raw bacon

½ cup brown sugar

20 toothpicks

• Peel the water chestnuts. Rinse and drain well. Place the soy sauce in a plastic bag. Add the water chestnuts and seal. Marinate for 3 hours, turning occasionally to cover completely.

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cut each slice of bacon in half. Spread the brown sugar out on a piece of waxed paper.

• Remove the water chestnuts from the bag, reserving the marinade. Roll each water chestnut in the brown sugar. Wrap a slice of bacon around each water chestnut and secure with a toothpick.

• Bake the water chestnuts at 350°F for 45 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn the water chestnuts over and pour the reserved marinade over. Continue baking.