Many people enjoy eating chestnuts, but do you know how to peel raw chestnuts or quick methods for doing so? Since many may not be familiar with these techniques, let me share some tips on peeling raw chestnuts and quick ways to do it.
Quick Method for Peeling Raw Chestnuts: As autumn and winter arrive, roasted chestnut shops reopen after a year's hiatus. Passing by, you're inevitably drawn by the sweet aroma and end up buying a bag to satisfy your craving.
But if you buy raw chestnuts yourself, doesn't peeling them leave your hands sore? Here's a quick way to peel chestnuts.Quick Peeling Method for Raw Chestnuts: Slice each chestnut in half lengthwise with a knife. After removing the outer shell, place the halves in a bowl. Pour boiling water over them, let soak briefly, then stir with chopsticks. The skins will separate easily. Note: Avoid soaking too long to preserve nutrients.
Method 1: Salt Water Boiling
1. Wash chestnuts and make a small slit in the center with a knife;
2. Place in salt water and boil on the stove for 5 minutes;
3. Remove shells and skins while still hot;<4>The fully peeled chestnuts remain fairly intact.
Method 2: Rice Cooker Method
1. Wash chestnuts and make a slit;
2. Place in rice cooker without adding water;
3. Press the "Cook" button, then remove and peel shell and skin;
4. Since they're cooked through after this method, they peel easily but tend to break apart. The color also isn't very appealing.
Method 3: Pressure Cooker Method
1. Wash chestnuts and score each with a knife;
2. Place in pressure cooker without water;
3. Once pressure builds, cook for three minutes then turn off heat. Remove and peel shell and skin;
4. Peeling is difficult, and timing the heat-off is tricky.
Fourth Method: Sun-Drying (No Cutting)
1. Place directly under sunlight;
2. After one day, shells may not come off easily;
3. After another day, still difficult to peel.
Fifth Method: Sun-Drying with Cuts
1.Cut a slit in each chestnut with a knife and sun-dry;
2. After one day;
3. One can be peeled;
4. After two days, peeling is possible but still difficult.
The following chestnut methods yield attractive colors. The saltwater soak method is most recommended.
Sixth Method: Microwave Method
1. Cut a small slit in each chestnut with a knife;
2. Place in a bowl and cover;
3. Peel while hot;
4. Peeled chestnuts. Microwave method yields very attractive color.
Seventh Method: Cut-and-Soak Method
1. Halve chestnuts;
2. Remove outer shells;
3. Cover with boiling water and soak for 5 minutes;
4. Peel easily.
Method 8 (Highly Recommended): Saltwater Soak Method
1. Place chestnuts directly into salted boiling water for 5 minutes;
2. Slice an opening with a knife;
3. Remove shells and skins while hot;
4. Results are remarkably intact.