Cook your fresh chestnuts in the microwave in under 5 minutes! They’re perfect as a festive snack or on a charcuterie board, or mix them in with your stuffing for a holiday classic.
Lay the flat side of a chestnut against a hard surface for stability. Using a sharp knife, cut an ‘X’ shape into the curved top side, making sure to pierce the skin. This prevents the chestnut from bursting open during cooking
12 Fresh chestnuts
Repeat for as many chestnuts as you’d like, and then place them onto a microwave safe plate, allowing space between each one
Cover the chestnuts with a dampened paper towel to retain moisture
Place in the microwave and cook on high for 3 minutes. Check them, and add additional time in 1-minute increments as needed, until the scored section of the skin begins to peel back. Time will vary based on quantity of chestnuts and the wattage of your microwave
Cool just until you can handle them without burning yourself, and peel off the shells, including the fuzzy brown layer underneath. This is easiest to do while they’re still hot
Sprinkle with a little salt if desired, and enjoy!
¼ Tsp salt
Notes
You can also use frozen chestnuts, but for best results make sure to completely thaw them beforehand
My recipe was made in a 1000W microwave and my chestnuts were perfect at the 3 minute mark. Other wattages may vary
You can cook as many chestnuts at a time as comfortably fit on your plate
If you get a particularly large or difficult to peel nut, feel free to give it another 20-30 seconds and try again, as it can help loosen it up!
Store leftover chestnuts in the refrigerator for up to 1 week in container or bag
To reheat chestnuts, microwave for about 20-30 seconds until warm, and enjoy! I do not recommend reheating more than once, as they dry out with each subsequent cooking
Exact nutritional values will vary based on variety and size of chestnuts, any seasonings added, and total quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only