Candied Chestnuts

• About 1 lb. 5 oz. (600 g) marron-quality chestnuts (unseparated; one piece per nut)

Peel the chestnuts without breaking them. Place them in a saucepan and simmer gently in a blanc (water to which a small amount of flour has been added) for about 10 minutes. Drain, then place them in a glass or earthenware jar with the vanilla pod.

To prepare the syrup, pour the water into a perfectly clean copper pot and bring to a simmer. Add the sugar and heat until a syrup is