To Roast Fresh Chestnuts Recipes

ROASTED CHESTNUTS

Steps:

• Slit chestnuts: Place one chestnut on a cutting board with the flat side down (rounded side up). Grasp the chestnuts firmly between your thumb and pointer finger and use a serrated knife to make a long slit across the rounded side of the nut. Be sure you cut all the way through the shell. Then make a second cut, forming an x" on the rounded side of chestnut. Making a slit in the chestnut is essential to ensure they don't explode in the oven and will make them easier to peel.
• Soak: Place chestnuts in a bowl and cover them with water. Let them soak overnight or for 10-12 hours. (Or, see my notes for a quicker soak option).
• Roast: Preheat oven to 350ºF. Remove the chestnuts from the water and pat them dry. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet with the flat side down and slit side facing up. Roast chestnuts for 30-35 minutes or until you see that the skins have pulled back and the nut inside has softened.
• Steam: As soon as you remove them from the oven, place the hot chestnuts on a damp kitchen towel, lifting the ends of the towel to form a bag. Twist the bag closed and squeeze the chestnuts inside firmly (you should hear them crackle). Let them sit in the towel for 10-15 minutes. This allows any extra steam to escape and will aid in the peeling process.
• Peel: Once the chestnuts have had a chance to steam, you can start removing the skins. It's easiest to remove the skins when the nuts are hot so remove the shell immediately by gently pulling back on the "x" and peeling away hairy, papery skin around the chestnut to reveal the yellow nut inside. Discard any nuts that seems gooey or look like they are spoiled inside.
• Enjoy: Eat them plain, serve them with soup or pasta, or store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.

ROASTED CHESTNUTS OVEN OR STOVE TOP

Steps:

• Toss chestnuts with oil.
• In a dry pan over low heat heat pan till hot, then add chestnuts cover and stir every few minutes for 15 minutes.
• Add water and continue to roast, covered and stirring until water is evaporated and chestnuts are tender about 5 minutes.
• Serve hot with salt.
• Or Oven method:.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Roast unseasoned chestnuts for 20 to 30 minutes or until chestnuts are tender, easy to peel, golden brown in color, and the shells are beginning to open. For even roasting, gently stir to turn them over after about 10 minutes. The sliced part of the shells will curl back.
• Remove the nuts from the oven, make a mound of them in an old towel, wrap them up, squeeze them hard -- they should crackle -- and let them sit for a few minutes.
• Meanwhile open a bottle of vino, pour yourself a glass, Peel nuts when they are cool enough to handle, and serve with salt if desired. Because hot chestnuts peel easier than cold ones.
• Enjoy!

OVEN-ROASTED CHESTNUTS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Using a sharp paring knife or a chestnut knife, score each chestnut; either make an "x" on one side of nut, or make one long slit crosswise. Place chestnuts in a single layer on a baking pan, and bake until flesh is tender and golden, about 25 minutes. Remove from oven. Using a clean kitchen towel, immediately peel shells. Serve immediately, or refrigerate up to 1 week.