ISO roasted chestnuts

[abstractpoet]

I'm trying to get a hold of some roasted chestnuts (I believe they usually come jarred) in the Oakland/Berkeley area. A lot of places seem to only carry them during the holiday season.

No luck at Berkeley Bowl, A.G. Ferrari, the Country & Cheese shop on San Pablo, or Piedmont Grocery.

Anyone know a place that'll have them in stock right now?

[abstractpoet]

So I finally did buy the Trader Joe's chestnuts today. Came in a red box, with a vacuum-sealed bag inside. $5.50 or somewhere thereabouts for 8 ounces (probably about two dozen smallish chestnuts in all, cooked and peeled). Quality was fine for my purposes (sliced thin and fried).

I haven't tried just warming them up in the oven and eating them by themselves yet, but I have plenty left over. Just stuck them in the fridge in a Ziploc bag--we'll see how they hold up.

[rccola]

Glad you had a satisfactory conclusion.

[Robert Lauriston]

The 99 Ranch in Richmond has in past years had someone selling fresh-roasted hot chestnuts. You can buy very small quantities. I'm not sure when they start.

[wolfe]

As I remember they are relatively expensive. I have not seen the little cart out in the lobby for some time.

[wolfe]

Fresh chestnuts today at Koreana Plaza not as big as last seen and now $2.99/lb.

[wolfe]

Old chestnut thread.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/583616

[pauliface]

Oh, that old chestnut!

btw, Golden Natural Produce on Church Street near Market in SF sometimes has fresh chestnuts, which are super easty to roast yourself.

[The Chowhound Team]

Folks, the digression about roasting your own chestnuts has been moved here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/657025

[Robert Lauriston]

I saw some just the other day in the "New Items" section at Trader Joe's. Vacuum-packed plastic packet.

I buy them from Andronico's. Clement Faugier Marrons au Naturel Entiers Sous Vide. We've tried other brands and other types (canned, etc.) but those are superior. We buy them for a soup we always eat on New Year's Eve, so I don't know if they have them at other times of the year.

[abstractpoet]

I just called Andronico's (Shattuck location), and they do carry some French brand of jarred, steamed (not roasted) chestnuts--$11.99 for a 14-oz jar. But I don't think it's the same brand you mentioned, Robert.

That's more than I'd like to pay, especially since it's not an exact match. Maybe I'll just give the Trader Joe's product a try, then. If I'm not mistaken, that'll only run me $5 or so.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone.

[rccola]

TJ's chestnuts are good. I heat them in the microwave and eat them as a snack. I'd cook with them but my husband hates chestnuts.

[Robert Lauriston]

That sounds right, I think they are steamed.

I think TJ's are about the same price by weight.

[abstractpoet]

Which TJ did you see them at, Robert (or rccola)? I called the Lakeshore location and the woman who answered said they had them, but then when I got there they said they weren't planning on carrying them until closer to the holidays.

Aggravating.

Would spring for the Andronico's, but really only need like two chestnuts. How long can you keep them in the fridge?

[Robert Lauriston]

Emeryville.

We always cook them all, so I have no idea how long they last after you open the jar.

[rccola]

I got them frozen from Trader Joes, not in jars. I haven't looked for them this year but I do think they are seasonal. I go to the El Cerrito TJ's.

[abstractpoet]

How about the vacuum-sealed steamed chestnuts they carry at Trader Joe's? Anyone think that would be a reasonable substitute?

(I'm making sweet potato gnocchi with shaved chestnuts--the recipe calls for bottled roasted chestnuts, but maybe any cooked, shelled chestnuts would be OK?)

[kc72]

There used to be a cart in the Pacific East Mall that sold them, don't know if they still do (haven't been in awhile).

[The Professor]

Asian grocery stores usually have packaged, cooked chestnuts...I've used them right out of the bag in dishes and pureed them into squash soups... they are inexpensive and very good.