Is there a good technique for cooking chestnuts?
I would like to make my own puree and would like to know of any ways that might be recommended for cooking them first. I tried the oven once and they started exploding: Ideas?
Best Answer
If you are going to cook chestnuts, you need to score them first. Most commonly, they're scored in an X pattern -- try to do it on the side away from the flattest side. Make sure you cut all the way through the shell. Then as they cook, the shell will actually peel back slightly as they cook. Here's a link with pictures about baking them. (425 degrees until they're done, 20 to 30 minutes.)
For certain recipes, you can also boil them. According to this website, you can boil them for about 3 minutes and then peel them. You then will need to finish cooking them in your recipe. Or you can boil them in the shell for 15-20 minutes. This will lead to them falling apart -- which may be appropriate for a chestnut puree.
Still another method I found is to cook them in oil, as described here. Cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring constantly.
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Quick Answer about "Is there a good technique for cooking chestnuts?"
What is this? 3- Boil the chestnuts: Place the chestnuts in a pot of cold water. As soon as the water begins to boil, remove the chestnuts with a slotted spoon and place on a shallow baking pan. This quick boil will create the perfect environment for steam to be created once they hit the hot oven.What is the best way of cooking chestnuts?
Heat a cast iron skillet over medium heat, and then add the chestnuts in a single layer. Cook for approximately 15 minutes, or until tender, giving the pan a good shake every few minutes. While boiling won't give chestnuts that roasted smokiness, it's a great way to keep the flesh tender and creamy.Is it better to boil or roast chestnuts?
You can either roast or boil chestnuts. Boiling will simply help you to remove the skins. Roasting will introduce more flavour into the chestnuts and is generally more preferred. Either way you need to start by cutting a small cross in the pointed end of each chestnut (a sharp vegetable knife is good for this).How do you roast chestnuts so they peel easily?
Use a chestnut knife (or sharp paring knife) to make a large X through the shell and inner skin on the round side of the chestnuts. Place them, flat side down, on a baking sheet as you go. Roast. Roast them in the preheated 425\xb0F oven until all of the skins have peeled back, away from the chestnut, about 25 minutes.How do you roast chestnuts like a street vendor?
Roasting in oven:More answers regarding is there a good technique for cooking chestnuts?
Answer 2
I've been baking Italian chestnuts for years. Holding a chestnut between my forefinger and thumb, I make two long scores on the chestnut in the shape of a "+" on the bulbous (rounded) side of the chestnut about a tenth of the way through using a paring knife with my opposite hand. I then place them on the middle rack of a preheated oven (500F degrees) on a cookie sheet or stainless steel dish for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the size of the chestnuts. *They come out perfect every time.
I've found making a large shallow "+" is better than a single deeper slice, it makes them easier to peel once cooked and less dried out.
*There are "dead" ones from time to time, but this seems to happen less with Italian chestnuts than domestic (US) ones.
Answer 3
You can do them in the oven, in a skillet on an open fire, etc. The secret is properly slitting the shell so that is does not explode. They have moisture inside and will pop/explode like popcorn if you don't slit the shell.
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