Freezing chestnuts - how to proceed step by step

Freezing chestnuts - this is how you can keep your chestnuts longer

Types and periods of storage for fresh chestnuts

Fresh chestnuts keep for one to two weeks at temperatures of ten degrees Celsius. Put the chestnuts in a perforated plastic bag and then put it in the refrigerator to extend the shelf life to about a month. The chestnuts stay edible even longer if you store them in the freezer: they will still taste delicious after a maximum of twelve months.

Freezing chestnuts - step-by-step instructions

Most people want to cook their chestnuts peeled later. We therefore recommend blanching and peeling the chestnuts first and then freezing them.

Cut into the chestnuts. To do this, take a sharp kitchen knife and scratch a small cross on the curved side of the chestnuts. This step will make it easier for you to peel the chestnuts later.
Blanch the chestnuts for 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how fresh they are. The fresher the chestnuts, the less time it takes to cook. You can use our guide values to estimate the duration: ten minutes for fresh chestnuts, 20 minutes for relatively old ones. If you don't want to blanch the chestnuts, you also have the option of putting them in the oven and baking them there for half an hour at 180 degrees Celsius.
Let the chestnuts cool down briefly until you can touch them without pain.
Peel the chestnuts. This is quite easy if you drive a small knife into the incised cross. The sturdy shell gives way quickly. Be sure to also remove the brown skin just below the peel. It has a very bitter taste that you can do without.
Place the chestnuts on a rack where they will dry and continue to cool.
Put the chestnuts in smaller portions in freezer bags or cans. The smaller portions are important to give all chestnuts sufficient space in the packaging. If you use freezer bags, you now have to remove the excess air from them - either with a vacuum sealer or with your mouth.
Seal the bags or cans airtight.
Put the containers in the freezer.

Overview of alternatives to preparation

There are several alternatives in terms of preparatory measures before freezing:

Do not blanch / bake or peel chestnuts, put them whole (cut into) in vacuum-sealed freezer bags and put them in the freezer
Cut into the sweet chestnuts and fry them almost ready, let them cool and then put them in the freezer in vacuum-sealed freezer bags

Use chestnuts after freezing

Depending on the preparation, you may have to defrost and peel the chestnuts. If they are already peeled, you can do without defrosting and roast the chestnuts directly (about ten to 20 minutes) and then eat them.