Chestnuts

C

CaliforniaCook

Banned
Do you roast your own, use canned or packaged? Planning on incorporating chestnuts into my dressing this year. Any recipes for chestnut stuffing/dressing, & other creative ideas for using these gems?

I used to buy a samll bag of hot chestnuts from street vendors in NYC. I miss my hot chestnuts.
 
Me too!!! Xmas in NY was nothing without overpriced hot chestnuts from the street vendors - lol!

Now that I'm in VA, I actually inherited my own chestnut tree (Chinese, most likely), & usually get a good enough harvest to roast for in-hand eating or to add to stuffing. I never use a real recipe - just saute up some chopped onion, celery, & sometimes mushrooms & add to a Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix along with warmed chicken broth. Stir in chopped roasted or toasted chestnuts & sometimes a dash of cognac & bake until heated through & a crust forms. Sometimes I sprinkle the top with a little grated Parmesan or Swiss cheese.
 
I love using chestnuts for holiday dishes, but I have a h*ll of a time peeling them. Score the shell.....boiling water bath.....Still tears up my fingers getting the skin off.

Anyone know an easy way to tackle this?
 
Yeah, it's a bitch. And if you get them from your own tree like I do, you have the porcupine outer shell that's even more lethal to deal with - lol! I've never found a really easy way to shell chestnuts apart from buying them shelled in the jar.
 
SilverSage said:
I love using chestnuts for holiday dishes, but I have a h*ll of a time peeling them. Score the shell.....boiling water bath.....Still tears up my fingers getting the skin off.

Anyone know an easy way to tackle this?
Click to expand...

I hear ya. I'm concerned about any buggies. As I recall, you cut an "X" & roast, then peel. I would prefer making/roasting them from scratch, but I've noticed they do sell roasted & peeled (Kosher - who knew) & canned.
 
BreezyCooking said:
Me too!!! Xmas in NY was nothing without overpriced hot chestnuts from the street vendors - lol!

Now that I'm in VA, I actually inherited my own chestnut tree (Chinese, most likely), & usually get a good enough harvest to roast for in-hand eating or to add to stuffing. I never use a real recipe - just saute up some chopped onion, celery, & sometimes mushrooms & add to a Pepperidge Farm stuffing mix along with warmed chicken broth. Stir in chopped roasted or toasted chestnuts & sometimes a dash of cognac & bake until heated through & a crust forms. Sometimes I sprinkle the top with a little grated Parmesan or Swiss cheese.
Click to expand...

Back when, I lived in NY, the roasted chestnut vendor/guy sold a bag of hot roasted chestnuts for about 25 cents (on 34th st. on the way to the subsway - across the street from Chock Full O' Nuts). I've noticed the price of walnuts has gone up, as well. Would like to do more with them - i.e. salad, ravioli etc.
 
CaliforniaCook said:
Back when, I lived in NY, the roasted chestnut vendor/guy sold a bag of hot roasted chestnuts for about 25 cents (on 34th st. on the way to the subsway - across the street from Chock Full O' Nuts). I've noticed the price of walnuts has gone up, as well. Would like to do more with them - i.e. salad, ravioli etc.
Click to expand...

Twenty-five cents!!!!! You do realize that you're dating yourself CC.:wink:
 
Already peeled in a can or a jar? I've never seen those! What an idea!

I'm going to look for them today. Any idea what aisle they'd be in?

(I thought we had a slapping self in forehead smilie?)
 
SilverSage said:
Already peeled in a can or a jar? I've never seen those! What an idea!

I'm going to look for them today. Any idea what aisle they'd be in?

(I thought we had a slapping self in forehead smilie?)
Click to expand...

I have heard about them in a can; but recently noticed they come packaged (roasted & peeled). I'm heading out to investigate. Just ask the manager to point you in the right direction. Best guess, is in the ethnic dept - maybe near the water chestnuts.

Here ya go :pat:
 
Last edited:
I prefer to roast my own chestnuts (even though they're a pain to shell sometimes) I've used packets of chestnuts before and they're definitely good enough to use in baking.
 
Chestnuts! The nut that cost. I have never cooked with them, BUT! I do love chestnuts on a campfire or the fireplace. If cooked just right they have a wonderful butter taste to them.
BUT! The cost for 10 chestnuts, is like $3 or 4 Bucks.

I knew a house that had chestnuts trees growing in the yard. Each year around December the oweners would put out a sign, “ chestnuts for sale” and they were cheap.
The people sold the house and the new people would not sell them. :sorry:

I did a search on growing chestnuts, and found that back in the 30's chestnuts were grown here in Florida, but a blight come through and killed them all. Bummer! :cry:

NOW! If I want chestnuts [in the shell] I'll have to pay 3 or 4 bucks for 10 of them.:furious:​
 
There are not many places growing chestnuts. Years ago the trees ranged up and down the east coast and they were indeed killed off by a blight. There is a large grower in Ohio who sells quality nuts and other items including chestnut flour. I can't remember the name, but you could google him. Don't hesitate in ordering though as the crop usually sells out quickly as they are extremely popular.
 
Rustpot said:
​


NOW! If I want chestnuts [in the shell] I'll have to pay 3 or 4 bucks for 10 of them.:furious:​
Click to expand...

That does sound steep, Rust, and I guess it might not be feasible to roast them for a crowd, but chestnuts are really rich, hearty snacks.

I only like to have a few at a time.

Lee
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top