How to Cook Chestnuts on the Microwave

Chestnuts have always been one of those ingredients that seem for some intimidating to cook at home, but what if I told you there’s a surprisingly simple way to prepare them using just your microwave? I thought I had tried every possible method for cooking chestnuts, roasted, boiled and fried, but I was missing out on this microwave technique that’s about to become your new favourite shortcut ;D while microwaves sometimes get a bad reputation, it’s usually due to misuse rather than the appliance itself, and for certain foods like chestnuts, it’s absolutely fantastic.

This quick and easy method is perfect for when you’re craving that warm, nutty flavour of chestnuts without the hassle of firing up the oven or waiting for a pot to boil. Also you can do a small batch, no need to make a huge batch on one go. In Portugal, eating chestnuts is an integral part of the Saint Martin’s festivities (Dia de São Martinho), traditionally celebrated on November 11th (tomorrow), where families gather to enjoy roasted chestnuts alongside the first taste of the new wine. Now you can bring that cosy Portuguese tradition to your kitchen any time of year with this convenient microwave method.

As a side note, after experimenting with two different techniques, cooking chestnuts dry versus adding a bit of steam, I discovered that the steam method produces far superior results. The chestnuts come out way more tender and flavourful, with skins that practically fall off on their own, making this the perfect recipe for anyone who wants to enjoy chestnuts without the usual fuss. Let’s check the recipe!

How to Cook Chestnuts on the Microwave

Servings: 2
Time: 15mins
Difficulty: Normal
Rating: ★★★★★
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This is maybe the fastest and easiest way to cook chestnuts in like 10 minutes you can have some creamy chestnuts coming out of the microwave.

Ingredients

Chestnuts – To Taste (+/- 18)
Fennel – A Pinch
Coarse Salt – A Pinch
Butter – Optional (But in my heart it’s always mandatory)

Directions

Start by putting a cup of hot water in the microwave, set the microwave to maximum power for about 5 minutes, and let the microwave create a good amount of steam.

While creating steam in the microwave, wash the chestnuts and make a cut with a knife in each one. Everyone has their own technique; some just make a small cut, others make a horizontal cut, but I make a cut on top of each one and press down on the side of the knife to open each chestnut without separating the two halves of the shell, so its like a small slice with a crack.

Arrange them in a Pyrex dish or plate and season with a little coarse salt and a pinch of fennel. Microwave (with the cup inside; if it is empty, add a little more water) for about 8 minutes total on high power (4minutes + 4minutes).
After the first 4 minutes, then open, stir them, especially pushing the chestnuts around the edges towards the center and those in the center toward the edges. Microwave for another 4 minutes. You can always open the microwave and pierce them with a knife to see if they are ready. When a knife enters without difficulty, and you notice the skin popping off the chestnut, then they are ready.
Remove from the microwave, and they are ready to serve with a knob of butter, or you can wrap them in newspaper or a cloth and let them rest for a while before serving (a bit more steam will make the inner peel come off easier, and it will hold their temperature for longer). Bon appétit!

Notes: The steam method produces much better results than cooking chestnuts dry in the microwave. The chestnuts stay tender and the skins (both inner and outer) remove easily.

One minute more or less makes all the difference with microwave cooking. It’s better to undercook slightly and check by poking with a knife rather than overcook, as the microwave is less forgiving than traditional roasting or boiling methods. Also smaller or less meaty chestnuts tend to dry out more quickly, so keep an eye on them and adjust timing accordingly.

Make sure to cut deep enough to prevent the chestnuts from exploding, but not so deep that you split them completely in half.

Precaution! Plain water in the microwave can be dangerous sometimes due to superheating. Always add something non-metallic to the water cup (like a wooden spoon or even a chestnut) to prevent the water from potentially “exploding” when disturbed.

This recipe for How to Cook Chestnuts on the Microwave was originally created on BakeAfter.com. Esta receita de Como Fazer Castanhas no Microondas foi publicada em português no Iguaria.com.