| Pantry | Fridge | Frezer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| In Shell | 2-3 Days | 2-3 Weeks | - |
Shelf Life of Chestnuts
Chestnuts are not like other nuts. They qualify as nuts, but cannot be stored for an extended period of time like most nuts can. Even though they have just as much nutrition, fatty acids, good cholesterol, and proteins as other nuts, you can just stick these nuts in the pantry and forget them. The shelf life of chestnuts is just three to four days in the pantry, and two to three weeks in the refrigerator. Chestnuts should not be stored in the freezer.
Purchasing Chestnuts
Chestnuts, unlike other nuts, tend to go rancid soon after purchase. Chestnuts contain forty percent water, which is why they can spoil in two ways. They can get moldy, or they can dry out completely, which makes them as hard as beans, and nearly impossible to chew. So, when purchasing chestnuts, you need to implement extra care to ensure that you are getting fresh pieces.
Old chestnuts can spoil early, and they can make your food taste terrible. Make sure you buy chestnuts from a well-known dealer, or a well-reputed company. Some sellers grow and sell chestnuts, but they don’t really know how to treat them properly and prepare them for selling. Try to avoid these types of sellers.
Storing Chestnuts
Storing chestnuts is similar to storing carrots. You can store them in a jar or plastic bag in the refrigerator to keep them from attracting other odors. If you want to store chestnuts for a long period time, you can store them in the freezer, but freezing not recommended because it changes the texture of the chestnuts. To get the best flavor out of chestnuts, it’s best to dry them a little.
If you choose to store chestnuts in the freezer, you can cook them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, so that they will retain their texture.
Handling Chestnuts
Using chestnuts in cooking needs a little bit of planning before-hand. Ideally, you should take the chestnuts out of the fridge and spread them on the counter three to four days prior to when you plan on using them. Let them dry at room temperature.
Another way to handle chestnuts is to soak them in water for thirty minutes, and then cut the shell with a knife. Remember, you don’t have to remove the shell, just score it. After that, roast it for twenty-five minutes.
Cooking Chestnuts
Chestnut is a very versatile ingredient, and can be used in many dishes. Chestnuts are used in soups, pies, sauces, chutneys, and appetizers. In some dishes, they are used whole, while in others they are used in ground form. The combination of chestnuts and sprouts is widely used in stuffing.