Removing Chestnut Raw Meats from the Shell Using Steaming Method

Chestnuts are perishable and should be treated similar to apples with regards to storage and refrigeration. The raw chestnut meats can be boiled and used for a wide variety of recipes. Before removing the raw meats from leathery shell, bring chestnuts to room temperature. Wash chestnuts to remove any dirt. Cut fresh chestnuts still in their shell in half with a hand pruner garden tool. A hand pruner works much better than attempting to cut them in half with a knife.

The steaming method has been found to be the most effective method for easily separating the shells from the meat. Place cut chestnuts in a collapsible steaming basket placed in a pan with approximately 1/2 inch of water. Bring water to a boil and steam the chestnuts until the meats separate from the shell. The chestnuts will be slightly cooked but still crunchy at this point. You can continue steaming the nuts to reach the desired level of crunchiness or continue to steam them until they are a soft consistency. (Instructions developed by Julie Rhoads, UMCA)