[bravemurphy]

Went on our yearly rampage for chestnuts and I thought it was too early.

How wrong was I.

We got 9.5lb and there is only so many roasted ones one can eat.

Are there any good recipes for them?

Anyone know how we can preserve them because from past experience they don't keep that long.

[Kate and her Ducks]

So jealous! Where did you find yours?

[bravemurphy]

There is a wood local that we go to with the dogs.

The dogs did not like it much they were watching where they were putting their feet after a bit.

[superpete]

 worked at a place once with a 100 yard chestnut wood at the bottom of the garden. Over the course of each 12 months we'd accumulate one hell of a lot of bonfire material to burn in a clearing in the wood - mostly conifers I didn't want to compost – after a couple of years I found the nuts coming down off the surrounding trees were the biggest I'd ever seen.... and I found this recipe

Chestnut Mound (Mont Blanc)

Boil 2 pounds of nuts for a few minutes to loosen shells

cook the shelled in nuts in a double boiler over hot water in:

one quart of milk with 1/4 tsp salt; 1 cup of sugar and a tsp of vanilla.

When the nuts are mealy, drain them and push thru a sieve so they fall lightly, in a mound, onto a large plate (try not to squash them)

Whip up a cup of heavy cream and fold in 1tsp of vanilla and 2Tbs of icing sugar

Place cream gently on mound and maybe grate a little choc over the top - Chill before serving - delish...

[SusieB]

I think they keep for a good few weeks in the fridge. 

Also boil, skin and freeze.  It might alter the texture, but they should still be lovely in stuffings and nut roasts. 

But have never had a glut , so have not tested these theories.

[strider84]

Same 7kg picked the other day going back out later to get some more - more than I can pick..

You can blanch (I think shell) and freeze them and they keep for 3 - 6 months.

My other half is going to make some puree for cakes out of them.

[nannytroll]

Chestnut soup is scrummy and freezes well.

[strider84]

ugh after roasting and eating a handful of our chestnuts I'd left all to dry unfortunately the chestnut weevils have infested them and had made their way out.

Yuck Yuck Yuck

Such a waste