The nut immortalized in holiday song makes for great eating, too
By Su Reid
CookingLight.com
How to eat them: These versatile nuts can be roasted, boiled, pureed, dried, preserved, candied, or simply eaten raw. When it comes to roasting, there are several ways to get the job done.
To begin, soak the nuts in a bowl of water for 30 minutes, then drain well. Cut a slit or an X in the shell (on the rounded side), making sure to penetrate the shell completely so it won't explode while cooking.
To roast (over an open fire), arrange nuts in a single layer in a chestnut pan. Place over an open flame; roast 25 minutes, shaking frequently.
To cook them in the oven, arrange the chestnuts in a single layer on a baking sheet, then roast at 400 degrees for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
To microwave, place a maximum of 12 nuts in a single layer on a microwave-safe dish, then cook on HIGH for two minutes.
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more:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/diet.fitness/12/20/CL.chestnuts/index.htmlDon't forget to report any examples of surviving American Chestnuts you see:
http://www.acf.org/http://www.gatacf.org/Find_a_Tree.htmConservationists are attempting to restore the species, perhaps by crossbreeding with fungus-resistant related species. Any surviving populations will help increase the genetic fidelity of the offspring to the original American Chestnut.
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