Once the water begins to simmer, remove the chestnuts from the water using a mesh strainer or slotted spoon and transfer them to a baking sheet. That bitter paper-like skin gets incredibly difficult to remove once the chestnuts have cooled down. Just remember these are NOT horse chestnuts that are SO often seen here in Ontario. Traditionally, an “x” is cut into the chestnut, but some people prefer to cut a slit across the point end of the chestnut, like in this video. I really should experiment with them more though! I don’t know the proper name for the edible ones…we just called them English. CAUTION: I have set chestnuts on fire while trying to reheat them in the microwave! The residual water helps the roasted chestnuts … Learn how to roast chestnuts at home in your oven or over hot coals! The stovetop method is definitely safer. If so, 18 minutes was probably ok, but I do recommend in my instructions that you roast for about 25 minutes for average-sized chestnuts. This ultimate guide to roasting chestnuts has been a work in process for the past three years. My trick for handling hot chestnuts is to use an old kitchen towel. Use a knife to score an “X” on the pointy end of each chestnut . I get far less bad chestnuts in a pound of locally grown chestnuts compared to imported chestnuts. Roast the chestnuts until they smell nutty and the shells begin to peel back. I just went apple and pumpkin picking in southern California and stumbled upon chestnut picking as well. Just read your great piece on chestnuts. If you’ve never cooked or eaten a chestnut before, you’re in for a treat. Wish us luck! Instant Pot Meatball Soup […], How do you cook rice in a rice cooker? I have soaked the chestnuts with the shell on before baking, which can sometimes make them easier to peel. Once the 15 minutes have passed, simply pull on the shell and slip the chestnut out. One way I like to eat them is by putting them in a cast iron pan with some Grand Marnier and flambeing in fire to get the sweet orange flavour to coat them. Most of the time I roast my chestnuts in the oven, but there are other options too. Wow this is really unique! Lately I’ve been wanting to have another go at them so I’m very happy to find your post. Once all of your chestnuts have been cut, place them into a small saucepan and cover with water. Place the chestnuts in a pot of cold water. Place the scored chestnuts into a large bowl and cover them with boiling hot water. Do you have to soak chestnuts before roasting? In a dry pan over low heat heat pan till hot, then add chestnuts cover and stir every few minutes for 15 minutes. You can also freeze cooked and peeled chestnuts in a ziptop freezer bag if you can’t eat all of them right away. Once the chestnuts have cooled completely, you may find that the membrane is down right impossible to get off. This post contains Amazon affiliate links. Instructions. I used store-bought Italian imports, but I’m going to keep my eyes out for local (central Ontario) chestnuts next year. I usually see them in stores from October to December. Spread “scored” chestnuts evenly onto a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, shaking the pan once or twice during the cooking . They can be mouldy, or dry, or hard to peel and they just fall apart. Simply place prepared chestnuts in a single layer on a sheet pan with the X facing up, then roast at 425°F until they smell nutty and the shells start to peel back where you scored them. I have another huge batch some in fridge, some freezer. Use a sharp pairing knife to cut a slit into the top of each chestnut. Instructions Make a cut with the heel of your knife across the chestnut. Hi Jane, thanks for your comment. Place scored chestnuts in a single layer on a baking tray, with the x facing up. Heat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. After you’ve scored chestnuts, soak them in a bowl of hot water for 1 minute. Going to try it so we will see. But my question is this; what are your favorite recipes and favorite preparations of chestnuts? I usually eat mine with melted butter and salt, so it kind of tastes like popcorn, just less crunchy. Some people recommend soaking your chestnuts before roasting them, which allows the meat inside to steam. Luckily, it’s pretty to cook chestnuts in other ways. Peel and enjoy while they are still warm. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. I’ve found that roasting chestnuts for about 15-20 minutes works for the large imported chestnuts that I find in most groceries. I always see these at the grocery store but am always too intimidated to cook them. You can braise them with meat, or saute with garlic and vegetables. If you are enjoying my work, please consider leaving me a "tip". If you can’t cook them right away, refrigerate raw chestnuts in perforated plastic bags for a few days, or freeze in an airtight container for up to one month. Oh that sounds delicious! It’s important to note that while chestnuts look similar to conkers – the seed of the horse chestnut tree, they are not the same. Roasting chestnuts in your oven is easy! DIRECTIONS Toss chestnuts with oil. Strictly speaking you don't have to soak and simmer chestnuts before roasting. (Scroll all the way down for a printable recipe! The best way to accomplish this is to boil the nuts before roasting or to simply pressure cook them. Anyhow, thanks for the comment, and I hope you enjoy eating them with salt and butter! Lay chestnut flat side down on a cutting board and use a serrated knife to cut an "x" about 1/3 of the way through the chestnut. I put in towel then proceeded to peel open – very hard to do & had to scape the mealy out ( used a strawberry hull spoon after trying a few knives) No such thing as a full nut. The important thing to remember here is that raw chestnuts must be cooked before you eat them. for the post shareba. Remove from the heat and allow chestnuts to sit in the hot water for 5-10 minutes, drain, and serve in a bowl. The absolute best chestnuts that I’ve eaten have all been small, locally grown chestnuts. How to Use a Rice Cooker Measure the correct amount of rice and place it in a bowl. They come out softer and crunchier too. Carefully peel the flesh from the shell and enjoy hot. )Roasting chestnuts in an oven is pretty simple. Also, small chestnuts cook quickly, and are a breeze to peel compared to large ones. Sometimes they turn out fine, sometimes they just don’t and it’s very disappointing. Well Done!! If chestnuts grew all over the place like that here, I’d eat them all the time! As soon as the water begins to boil, remove the chestnuts with a slotted spoon and place on a shallow baking pan. At least the steam will have somewhere to escape, and you can avoid cutting yourself. I’ll have to try that if I can get my hands on some decent chestnuts this season. Great information. This means that if you click a link and purchase something, I will receive a tiny percentage of the purchase price (at no extra cost to you). Some people recommend soaking chestnuts before roasting them, which allows the meat inside to steam. Peel warm chestnuts using fingers and a tea towel, working quickly. Preheat oven to 425°. Avoid using any chemical starter fluids that could alter the taste of your food. Optional: Rinse the rice until the water turns clear. Place a heavy skillet over medium heat and place the chestnuts x side up in a single layer in the pan. This with the understanding that letting the nuts (seeds) do their initial step, absorbing water, enhances their nutritional value. Oops! To peel fresh chestnuts , rinse, then make a nick in the skin on the flat side of each and simmer in a pan of water for 15 minutes or roast in the oven for 15 minutes. Chestnuts are done when they smell nutty, the shells begin to curl, and they are hot to the touch. I am getting my family an Air Fryer for Christmas. The single cut makes the roasted chestnuts much easier to shell. Heat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6. I’ve never known how to cook chestnuts and found it really interesting (also liked the what not to do sections with the old nuts and burning the chestnuts). This post is wonderfully informative! Thanks so much! *See Notes Place cut chestnuts into a bowl and cover with water. I’m sorry that you’ve had a poor experience with roasting your chestnuts though. If you get a bad batch, you won’t know until you try to cook them. First of all, you should wash your chestnuts. Roasting chestnuts over hot coals is my new favourite way to prepare them! Do NOT reheat chestnuts in the microwave as they are a fire hazard. If tunnels are found inside the nuts, the chestnut weevil is the most likely culprit. If you are enjoying my work, please consider leaving me a small tip by clicking the button below. Chesnuts produce a delicate and slightly sweet flavor in the nut while softening the texture to potato-like consistency. Chestnuts are the edible seeds of the sweet chestnut tree that grow inside of a prickly casing called a burr. This step will help them … Wash and dry your chestnuts. Txs Pat. The shells should only be this dark if you’re roasting the chestnuts outside on a fire or over coals. If you want to get the shells and the bitter paper-like membrane off of the chestnuts, you must peel them when they’re still very warm. Most of the chestnuts that I’ve purchased from the grocery have been from either China or Italy.