Removing Chestnut Raw Meats from the Shell Using Steaming
Method
Instructions developed by Julie Rhoads, UMCA
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.