How To Boil Chestnuts - Myths, Facts & The Best Technique

Boiling chestnuts is probably one of the easiest methods cooking chestnuts and also the quickest one. But if it's your first time boiling chestnuts, read this carefully. There are some must-know myths, facts and tricks you don't want to miss so boiling chestnuts will NOT drive you nuts!

What do boiled chestnuts taste like?

Boiled chestnuts have a rich buttery taste and a creamy consistency.

Compared to roasted chestnuts they're softer and have milder flavor.

Boiled chestnuts will also absorb the flavor and taste of the aromatic herbs that you choose to boil them with.

Ingredients

• Fresh chestnuts
• Water
• Flavorings (optional) - boiled chestnuts will absorb a slight flavor of any herbs you boil the with. Some of the best pairings are bay leaf, rosemary, thyme. Optionally you can also add some salt. Orange or lemon zest is also worth trying, especially for sweet preparations.

How To Boil Chestnuts - Step By Step

Wash and select chestnuts

• Bring a pot filled with water to a boil.
• In the meantime rinse and slightly rub chestnuts under tap water.

Score

• Using a pairing knife or a chestnut knife make a long slit cut across the rounded side of a chestnut trying not to cut too deep into the nut.
• The easiest way to do it is to hold the chestnut with your fingers. You’ll get a better grip and control over a chestnut and can rotate it easily to make that long cut all across the rounded side.

Cook in boiling water

• Carefully drop scored chestnuts in a pot with boiling water. Add salt, bay leaves or other flavorings (optional).
• Reduce the heat to low. Cook on gentle simmer for 25-35 minutes. Cooking time depends on the size of chestnuts. The large the nuts more time it need to be cooked.
• To test, take out one chestnut at 25 minute mark and cut it open. If the pulp is soft and creamy chestnuts are done. If not let cook for another 5-10 minutes and taste again.

Remove from the water and peel

Once ready, turn the heat off. Take out a few chestnuts at a time and remove the pulp. Keep the rest in the warm water until their turn.

Peel Boiled Chestnuts - 2 Easy Ways

Contrary to the popular belief, you should NOT remove the peel from the chestnut, but rather remove the pulp from the shell.

The main reason is that boiled chestnuts break in pieces, so removing the peel takes more effort but won't guarantee the whole chestnut. If you need to use chestnuts in other recipes, crumbled or not, you'll be able to use chestnuts equally well.

If you made a long slit cut as shown above you can simply open the chestnut in half and squeeze the pulp out using your fingers.

Alternatively use a small coffee spoon to scoop the pulp out this way.

Peel chestnuts while they’re still warm.

PAY ATTENTION: You can try to reduce breakage slightly by scoring chestnuts with an X-cut instead of a slit cut.

You might get a few whole chestnuts out, but most will break anyway. So to me, it's not worth it. But you decide for yourself.

How to peel chestnuts whole?

If you need to have a whole chestnut after cooking, it's best to par-boil it as shown the the Marron Glace recipe or use an alternative method of cooking such as pan roasting, roasting in the oven, and, of course you can roast chestnuts on an open fire.

How To Store

• In the fridge: Boiled and peeled chestnuts can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
• In the freezer: In the same way chestnuts can be frozen and stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.