Cooking chestnuts

Nonnadiluca

There's an abundance of chestnuts in the forest. I love them but have had little success in cooking them so that the bitter brown bit comes off easily. I've boiled and roasted but never been able to get it right. If anyone has a good method of roasting them to perfection I would be a happy squirrel! Thanks 

Brie

haven't tried it myself but this seems a good step by step method.   At least you try this with a small amount of nuts and see if it works for you.

Nonnadiluca

Thanks @Brie, but I can't see the link.

Brie

Nonnadiluca said:

Thanks @Brie, but I can't see the link.

oops!   5 Easy Steps for Oven Roasted Chestnuts - She Loves Biscotti

badmemory

I cheat & do mine in the microwave.  Set it going & stop it after the first few bangs.

Nonnadiluca

Will definitely give that a go @Brie, thanks, much appreciated.

Nonnadiluca

Thanks @badmemory, 

Nelliegrace

In his blog Magnon’s Meanderings, he writes, “My preferred way of eating them is to cut a cross into the pointed end, then boil for about 20 minutes. …….they begin to open up at the cross, making it easier to get at the cooked nut inside.”

I think the sweet chestnuts grow a bit bigger in France than the ones I find locally. 

Nonnadiluca

Thanks @Nelliegrace, another method to try. Unfortunately haven't been too well for a few days so chestnut collecting not happened yet, hopefully will do it tomorrow and experiment over the weekend. We've noticed that the squirrels, which are usually all over the place, seem to have disappeared, much to our hound's dismay. Not sure if the dry summer has had an effect but a concerning absence.