Q: How long should I soak the chestnuts in saltwater?
A: Soak the chestnuts in saltwater for 10 minutes.
Q: What is the purpose of scoring the chestnuts?
A: Scoring the chestnuts helps in flavor absorption and makes them easier to eat.
Q: How do I know when the chestnuts are perfectly cooked?
A: The chestnuts are done when the sugar is evenly coated on them and there’s barely any liquid left in the pan, which takes about 35 minutes in total.
Water-Boiled Sweetened Chestnuts
Notes
Ingredients:
- Chestnuts: 1000g
- Cooking oil: 3 tablespoons
- Granulated sugar: 20g
- Water: as needed
- Salt: 3g
- Rinse the chestnuts twice with water, adding a little salt in the second rinse. Soak for 10 minutes.
- Drain the chestnuts and score them with an X on the flat side for better flavor absorption.
- Be careful not to cut yourself while scoring the chestnuts.
- Set the scored chestnuts aside.
- Quickly score each chestnut with a cross-cut on the top.
- Place the chestnuts in a frying pan, add oil and sugar, and stir well. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes until the sugar melts.
- Once the water covers the chestnuts, cover with a lid and simmer for 25 minutes on low heat.
- After 25 minutes, switch to medium heat and reduce the liquid for about 10 minutes until the chestnuts are coated with a sugary glaze and there's almost no liquid left.
- Remove the delicious, sweetened chestnuts from heat. They should be fragrant and melt in your mouth.
- Energy: High in calories due to sugar and chestnuts.
- Sugar: Moderate amount from added sugar.
- Fiber: Good source from chestnuts.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Provides vitamins and minerals, particularly from chestnuts.
