Kitchen Dictionary: chestnut

Chestnut trees produce a brown nut with hard outer shell and bitter inner peel.

Marrons glaces are chestnuts preserved in a sweet syrup.

plural: chestnuts

Ingredient

Season: September - February

How to select: Looks for firm shiny nuts without blemishes when fresh. You can also purchase canned whole, pieces or pureed, as well as dried chestnuts or chestnut flour.

How to store: In cool dry place with shells and in a covered container in the refrigerator when shelled.

How to prepare: bake, boil, roast, steam, stew

Matches well with: apples, brandy, brown sugar, brussels sprouts, butter, cabbage, carrots, cayenne, celery, chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, cognac, cream, creme fraiche, fennel, ginger, lemon, mushrooms, onions, orange, parsley, prunes, rum, stuffings, sugar, vinegar