How to Store and Peel Fresh Chestnuts in Japan
Every fall, fresh chestnuts begin appearing in supermarkets across Japan, and I always know chestnut season has arrived. I like chestnuts, but for a long time I hesitated before putting a bag in my shopping basket. Eating them is easy. Peeling a whole pile of hard chestnuts is another story. Before I bought a chestnut peeler in Japan, my hands would get tired and sore after peeling several of them. I also wasn't sure what to do with the chestnuts I couldn't cook right away. Should fresh chestnuts go in the refrigerator? Can you freeze them? And is there an easier way to peel that hard shell? If you've just brought home a bag, the most important thing to know is that fresh chestnuts are more perishable than their hard shells make them look. Don't leave them sitting at room temperature for days. If you're going to use them soon, keep them in a cold part of the refrigerator. Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) recommends putting chestnuts...