Definition: Chestnuts are sweet, edible seeds or nuts of the chestnut tree. Originally native to southeastern Europe and Asia Minor, chestnuts are now common throughout Asia, Great Britain, the whole of central, western and southern Europe, Bosnia, Corsica, Croatia, France, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and the United States. Four main chestnut species are recognized -- European, Chinese, Japanese and American.
Chestnuts must be peeled and their bitter inner skin removed. They are enjoyed raw, roasted, boiled, pureed, preserved and candied, and are used in savory and sweet dishes. Fresh chestnuts are available from September through February. Choose chestnuts that are hard, shiny, unblemished, heavy for their size and do not rattle when shaken. Store them refrigerated in perforated plastic bags for up to one week, or freeze in an airtight container for up to one month.
Canned, jarred and vacuum-packed cooked or raw chestnuts can be found whole, chopped or as sweetened or unsweetened puree, or candied as in the French marrons glacés. Dried chestnuts and chestnut flour are also available.
Chestnuts are wildly popular in Eastern Europe and show up in desserts, soups, accompaniments to meats, especially game, in stuffing and other recipes.
Recipes Using Chestnuts Include:
Chestnuts must be peeled and their bitter inner skin removed. They are enjoyed raw, roasted, boiled, pureed, preserved and candied, and are used in savory and sweet dishes. Fresh chestnuts are available from September through February. Choose chestnuts that are hard, shiny, unblemished, heavy for their size and do not rattle when shaken. Store them refrigerated in perforated plastic bags for up to one week, or freeze in an airtight container for up to one month.
Canned, jarred and vacuum-packed cooked or raw chestnuts can be found whole, chopped or as sweetened or unsweetened puree, or candied as in the French marrons glacés. Dried chestnuts and chestnut flour are also available.
Chestnuts are wildly popular in Eastern Europe and show up in desserts, soups, accompaniments to meats, especially game, in stuffing and other recipes.
Recipes Using Chestnuts Include:
Pronunciation: CHESS-nut
Examples:
I made my own chestnut puree for Croatian Chocolate Chestnut Cream Torte.
