Identification: Chestnuts are the seed or nut of a variety of trees grown primarily in Europe. They have a thin, hard, dark brown outer shell and a bitter inner skin surrounding a soft, starchy meat.
Evaluation: Look for plump, firm nuts with no blemishes on the shells.
Preparation: The shell and skin must be removed before use. With the point of a paring knife, cut an X in the shell on the flat side of each nut. Roast at 350°F (180°C) for 15 minutes, or blanch in boiling water. Peel while still hot.