Steaming Chestnuts: A Quick, Easy, And Delicious Treat

Steaming chestnuts is a great way to cook these nuts, keeping them moist and making them easier to peel. To steam chestnuts, start by scoring the shells with a small incision, then place them in a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. After 15-20 minutes, or until a knife slips easily into the chestnut, they're ready to be peeled.

How to prepare chestnuts for steaming

Preparing chestnuts for steaming is a relatively simple process, but it does require a few key steps to ensure the best results. Here is a detailed guide on how to prepare chestnuts for steaming:

• Start with fresh chestnuts: Look for chestnuts that are firm, shiny, and free from any mould or blemishes. They should feel heavy for their size, which indicates that they are fresh and moist. You can typically find fresh chestnuts at your local grocery store or farmers' markets during the fall and winter months.
• Gather your tools: You will need a sharp knife, a cutting board, a pot with a steamer basket, and a towel. It is also recommended to wear thick gloves to protect your hands while handling the chestnuts.
• Prepare the chestnuts for steaming: Place each chestnut on a cutting board, flat side down. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut an "X" or a "Y" through the shell on the rounded side of the chestnut. This step is crucial as it allows the shell to loosen from the nut during cooking and makes it easier to peel later.
• Bring water to a boil: Fill a pot with about 1-2 inches of water and place it on the stove. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
• Steam the chestnuts: Place the prepared chestnuts in a steamer basket and carefully lower it into the pot, ensuring that the steamer is above the boiling water. Cover the pot with a lid and steam the chestnuts for 15-20 minutes. The chestnuts are ready when a knife slips easily into the meat, or when the shells pull apart and the nuts inside are tender.
• Cool and peel the chestnuts: Once steamed, remove the chestnuts from the steamer and allow them to cool slightly until they are cool enough to handle. Use a towel to hold the chestnuts and pull off the thick brown shell. Then, use the towel to rub the chestnuts vigorously to remove any remaining skins stuck to the nuts. It is important to work quickly and not let the chestnuts cool completely before peeling, as this will make the process more difficult.

By following these steps, you will be able to prepare and steam chestnuts successfully, making them ready to be enjoyed as a delicious snack or used in various sweet and savoury dishes.

How to steam chestnuts

Steaming chestnuts is a great way to enjoy these autumnal treats and can be done in a few simple steps. Here is a guide on how to steam chestnuts.

First, prepare your chestnuts by rinsing them under cold running water. Then, place a single chestnut on a cutting board, with the flat side down. Hold it firmly and use a sharp knife to cut a small horizontal incision (approximately 0.5 inches in length) through the rounded side of the chestnut. You want to cut through the outer shell and the inner fuzzy skin, without cutting too deeply into the nut's flesh. Repeat this for all your chestnuts.

Next, you will need to steam the chestnuts. Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. The amount of water should be enough to fully cover the chestnuts. Once the water is boiling, carefully place the scored chestnuts into the water and cook them for around 15-20 minutes. The chestnuts are done when the scored section opens up, revealing the fuzzy skin inside.

To check if the chestnuts are fully cooked, carefully remove one and peel it. The nut's flesh should be soft and creamy. If it is still hard, continue cooking the chestnuts in 3-4 minute intervals, checking the texture each time.

Once the chestnuts are cooked, remove them from the pot with a slotted spoon and place them in a bowl. Allow them to cool for about 10 minutes, until they are cool enough to handle.

When they are cool enough to touch, begin peeling the chestnuts. Start by removing the outer shell, then peel off the inner skin. If you are having difficulty removing the fuzzy skin, place the chestnut back in the hot water for a few minutes to soften it, or use a paring knife to help remove it.

Finally, enjoy your steamed chestnuts! They can be eaten as a snack or used in various sweet or savoury dishes, such as soups, purees, cookies, or cakes.

How to peel steamed chestnuts

Preparing the Chestnuts

Place a chestnut on a cutting board, flat side down. Using a paring knife, chestnut knife, or a sharp serrated knife, make a small incision (approximately 0.5 inches long) horizontally over the rounded side of the chestnut. You want to cut through the shell and the inner fuzzy skin, but try not to cut into the flesh. Repeat this process for each chestnut.

Steaming the Chestnuts

Fill a saucepan with water and bring it to a boil. Place the scored chestnuts into the boiling water and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the scored section opens up and the inside of the chestnut is exposed.

Checking for Doneness

Remove one chestnut from the water and peel to check if the yellow flesh is fully cooked. If the pulp is soft and creamy, it is ready. If not, cook for another 3-4 minutes, checking once or twice during this time.

Peeling the Chestnuts

Transfer the boiled chestnuts to a bowl and let them cool for about 10 minutes. When they are still hot, but cool enough to handle, begin peeling. Start by removing the outer shell, then take off the inner skin. If you are having trouble removing the fuzzy skin, place the chestnut back in the water for a few minutes or use a paring knife to help remove it. Peeling chestnuts can be tricky, so be patient!

Troubleshooting

If your chestnuts are proving difficult to peel, try cutting them in half and scooping out the nuts with a small spoon. You will end up with broken pieces, but they will still taste delicious!

It is also important to note that chestnuts are easier to peel when they are still warm. If they cool down too much, simply pop them back into the pot of hot water for 3-4 minutes to rewarm before continuing to peel.

How to store steamed chestnuts

Storing steamed chestnuts depends on whether they have been peeled or not, and whether they are still in their shells.

If your chestnuts are still in their shells, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to one month, as long as the temperature is set at a constant 2-3°C. You can also store unpeeled chestnuts in the freezer for up to a year.

If your chestnuts are peeled, they will not keep for more than a few days in the refrigerator. For longer-term storage, wrap them in aluminium foil or another freezer-proof, airtight container and place them in the freezer, where they will last for several months.

What to do with steamed chestnuts

Steamed chestnuts can be used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes. Here are some ideas for what to do with steamed chestnuts:

Soups

Chestnuts can be used in soups, such as a simple chestnut soup made with chicken broth and cream, or a more complex porcini and chestnut soup. They can also be used in a chestnut, bacon and parsnip soup, or blended with root vegetables to make a creamy celery root puree.

Stuffing

Chestnuts are a popular addition to stuffing, often served with roast turkey or chicken. You could try a chestnut, bacon and herb stuffing, or a chestnut and apple stuffing.

Salads

Steamed chestnuts can be added to salads, such as an autumn chestnut salad.

Desserts

Chestnuts are a versatile ingredient in desserts. They can be used to make cakes, such as a chocolate and chestnut truffle torte, or a Hungarian chestnut cake. They can be used to make profiteroles, or a chestnut roulade. For a frozen dessert, try an iced chestnut ripple cheesecake.

Vegetables

Chestnuts are often paired with Brussels sprouts, and can be added to mashed sprouts. They can also be used to make a vegetarian main course, such as baked acorn squash with chestnuts, apples and leeks.

Meat dishes

Chestnuts can be added to meat dishes, such as wine-braised pork with chestnuts and sweet potatoes, or venison sausage and chestnut casserole.

Other ideas

Steamed chestnuts can be used in a wide range of other dishes, including gnocchi, crepes, hummus, and even scallops with chestnut sauce.

Frequently asked questions