chestnuts can be dried to last longer in storage.Drying can be done in an oven.Both shelled and unshelled chestnuts can be dried the same way.The dried chestnuts can be reconstituted in water.
Step 1: There is a spot that is exposed to the open air.
Pick a spot with a lot of space.The chestnuts will dry quicker if more air is flowing through the spot.Make sure the spot stays cool.An attic or shed is a good choice for a cool room.
Step 2: The chestnuts should be spread on the trays.
To hold the nuts in place, use flat trays or drying screens.Don't stack or overlap the chestnuts.Space between the nuts will encourage air flow if you have room.
Step 3: The chestnuts should be dry by 3 to 7 days.
The chestnuts need to be dried before you can eat them.Depending on the freshness of the chestnuts and the amount of air exposure they receive, the drying time can vary.Chestnuts have a high water and starch content, so they dry quickly compared to other nuts.
Step 4: To test the nuts, squeeze them.
Chestnuts are best when they are dry.The nuts should be dry by the time you test them.You can squeeze the shells in about 16 in (0.16 cm) if they are at the correct consistency.The shell can be removed from the chestnuts.If the chestnuts are inedible, check their consistency often.
Step 5: The chestnuts should be placed in a single layer on the tray.
The trays need to be pulled out of the dehydrator.Take care not to stack or layer the chestnuts.The dehydration process begins when the trays are pushed back into the device.You can dehydrate chestnuts in multiple batches if you don't have enough room.You can buy a dehydrator online or at a store that sells kitchen supplies.You can dry nuts on a tray in the oven if you don't have a dehydrator.You can put the nuts on the trays near the furnace.
Step 6: The dehydrator should be set to 100 F.
The nuts won't last as long in storage if they're dehydrated at a higher temperature.The temperature should be kept at this point all the time.
Step 7: The nuts should be dry for about 12 hours.
Depending on your dehydrator, this is an average amount of time.Chestnuts may take longer to dry.Chestnuts may finish drying sooner than this if they have been exposed to open air.Chestnuts can take up to 3 days to dry.It can take as long as 2 days for chestnuts to dry.Chestnuts can still be eaten if they are in the dehydrator longer.
Step 8: The chestnuts are hard to test.
The chestnuts are dried in low heat.To make sure they are completely hardened, squeeze the chestnuts.You should not be able to break them with your fingers.
Step 9: Before use, reconstitute the chestnuts with overnight soak.
Set out a bowl of cold water when you are ready to use your chestnuts.The chestnuts can beSubmerged for up to 6 hours.You can peel the shells from the nuts if they are softened again.After 1 hour of soaking, chestnuts may be ready for use.
Step 10: For 25 minutes, soak the chestnuts in warm water.
Make sure the chestnuts are submerged in the bowl of water.If you are working with chestnuts that are still in their shells, you need to do this.You don't need to soak shelled chestnuts.You can either cook them or dry them.
Step 11: A sharp knife can be used to cut a notch into shells.
Each chestnut has a flattest side.Use a knife to make an X.Don't cut into the meat of the nut if you cut all the way through the hard shell.You can cut each chestnut by making a straight cut along the top side.When nuts are heated to a high temperature, the cut prevents them from exploding.
Step 12: The chestnuts will be on the baking sheet.
The chestnuts don't spill off if you choose a baking sheet with a rim.The nuts should be arranged on the sheet in a single layer.The chestnuts should be roasted in multiple batches.
Step 13: The chestnuts need to be roasted for 25 minutes.
Put the baking tray in the oven.When the chestnuts are done roasting, the shell will come back from the cut you made earlier.Depending on your oven, the roasting time may be slightly different.Once the chestnuts have cooled, squeeze them.They should be tender to the touch.The chestnuts can be boiled for 15 minutes in order to be softened.
Step 14: The shell and skin need to be removed.
Allow the chestnuts to cool down until they are not hot enough to burn your hands.The easiest way to remove the shells is when the chestnuts are warm.Remove the hard shell first, then take off the soft, papery skin to make room for the nut.This may be easier if you use a paring knife.If the nuts are too hot, put them in the microwave.
Step 15: Remove any chestnuts that are not fresh.
There will always be bad nuts in the bunch.Some chestnuts are too stubborn to open and are not worth eating.It is unsafe to eat chestnuts that look off-color.When chestnuts go bad, you can tell.They will look bad.