Marron glacé

Marron is French for chestnut. Marron glacé are whole chestnuts, peeled and steeped in a sweet vanilla-flavored sugar syrup of increasing concentration (the syrup becomes more concentrated the longer it cooks) until the sugar penetrates the entire chestnut. This process can take a week. Once the chestnut is removed, it is glazed with a final coat of sugar syrup to give it a shiny, clear gloss. A choice delicacy, marrons glacés are enjoyed as a confection and are used as a garnish. Candied chestnuts are available in cans or jars in most supermarkets; there is also a recipe, if you would like to make your own.