How to peel chestnuts quickly? Five fastest methods plus whether they are better eaten raw or cooked

Chestnuts are a nut commonly eaten in winter; on streets and in alleys you can see old men and women carrying poles and selling chestnuts. We know that eating chestnuts has health benefits such as nourishing the blood and eliminating edema. But when eating chestnuts, peeling them is a difficult problem. How do you peel them quickly? Do you know these 5 fastest methods for peeling chestnuts? So are chestnuts better eaten raw or cooked?

1. Nutritional components of chestnuts

2. How do you peel chestnuts quickly (remove the shells)? Do you know these 5 fastest peeling methods?

1. The first quick method for peeling chestnuts: sun-drying

Sometimes the chestnuts we buy are still very full of moisture, so when eating them, the skin is very hard to peel off. I remember one time my college roommate brought a whole suitcase of chestnuts from her hometown; of course, that was because her family grew chestnuts. So that whole winter we could eat chestnuts, and peeling them was a big problem. So the four of us discussed putting the chestnuts on the dorm rooftop to dry. After drying them for about four days, we put them by the window and took some to eat whenever we wanted. At this point the chestnut skins were very easy to peel, because the moisture had dried, so the skins naturally came off easily. (Note: they need to be dried in very sunny weather!)

2. The second quick method for peeling chestnuts: soaking in salt water

The salt water soaking method is one worth recommending. The main method is: boil a pot of water, add an appropriate amount of salt to the water, then continue boiling for three minutes, then pour the chestnuts into the pot and let them steep for 6 minutes. At this point note that the heat must be turned off, otherwise they will be cooked. Then after soaking for 6 minutes, put them on a plate, and while they are still hot, removing the shells and skins is quite quick, and not a bit of skin will stick to the flesh. (Note: this method is suitable for eating promptly and cannot be left too long, so when steeping the chestnuts, add an appropriate amount of chestnuts, determined by how many people are in the family; do not make too many.)

3. The third quick method for peeling chestnuts: soaking in boiling water

Pour an appropriate amount of water into a pot and bring it to a boil, then turn off the heat, pour in the chestnuts you bought, cover with the lid and soak for 6 minutes, then uncover the pot, use a spoon to take out the chestnuts, prepare a small pair of scissors, cut a slit in the soaked chestnuts, and then you can very quickly remove the shells and skins of the chestnuts, and very completely too; the peeled flesh is very nice-looking. (Note: because they have been soaked in boiling water, there is some hot steam present, so when peeling you must be careful not to burn your hands.)

4. The fourth quick method for peeling chestnuts: heating in a microwave

At this point you can bring out the microwave at home. Cut a slit in the outer shell of the chestnuts you bought; remember to cut on both sides, not just one side, and these two slits must be symmetrical, so that they will split open when heated in the microwave. Prepare a larger plate and put the cut chestnuts on the plate, then put them together into the microwave, on high heat for 3 minutes. When you hear the ding after 3 minutes, take them out. When taking them out, you must wear microwave gloves (or use a rag), otherwise they will burn your hands. Let the chestnuts cool on the table for a bit, then peel them open by hand; the skins and shells come off very easily and you can eat hot chestnuts right away!

5. The fifth quick method for peeling chestnuts: heating in a rice cooker (pressure cooker)

If some people do not have a microwave at home, they can use a rice cooker or pressure cooker; this is also a quick peeling method. The main method is: give the chestnuts you bought a simple once-over, remove some of the fuzz on the chestnuts, then wash them once and wipe them dry. Use scissors to cut a slit on each of the left and right sides of the chestnuts, then put them into a rice cooker or pressure cooker; no water needs to be added. This is a point we need to note: do not foolishly add a large amount of water. Press the cook button and wait 15 minutes. When the rice cooker switches to keep-warm, unplug the power, use a spoon to take the chestnuts out one by one and put them on a plate. You can then directly remove the shells and skins very quickly. After all are removed, you can sit and wait to eat.

Have you tried all five of the above quick methods for peeling chestnuts? This editor has tried them all!

3. Are chestnuts better eaten raw or cooked? Which would you choose?

Are chestnuts better eaten raw or cooked? This seemingly very simple question has always troubled everyone! So this editor specially consulted an expert. According to the answer from physician Jiao Meizhi: the teacher told everyone that eating them raw or cooked is nutritious, but as for which is a bit better, the teacher told me that eating them raw is best, but there are also certain techniques when eating them raw. For example, when we eat them we should eat slowly and not pop one after another too quickly. When we chew, wait until a white juice is chewed out before swallowing. Eating them this way can strengthen the body and tonify the kidneys. Eating 3-6 chestnuts a day is best; it is not suitable to eat too many.

Summary: The above is the collection for everyone of the 5 fastest methods for peeling chestnuts and related knowledge on whether they are better eaten raw or cooked, hoping to help you find the answers to your questions.