How to store fresh chestnuts?

i just moved to this city and i learned last week that outside of my building are chestnut trees, and they're raining down right now. so i'm out there with my little bucket picking them up :)



but how should i store them? i see some that i collected this weekend have what appears to be a slight mold on the dull, lighter coloured part of the shell.

i really want to keep them for when it's cooler...and i'd love to send some back to my parents.

what's the best way to keep them for a while?



(oh i was just keeping them in a bowl on the counter...what do i know??)



thanks for you help!



!Alexiis

How to store fresh chestnuts?
Here you go, hope it helps.



STORING CHESTNUTS - RAW



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If properly stored, chestnuts may be stored in a

refrigerator for several months. Chestnuts dry rapidly in

dry air and mold rapidly in damp air. For refrigerator

storage, first place the chestnuts in a closed paper sack

and leave for 1 to 2 days until they have reached

refrigerator temperature. Then transfer them to a sealed

plastic sack and punch about a dozen holes in the plastic

with a medium sized nail. A good method for storing

freshly harvested chestnuts in a refrigerator is to use

milk cartons and dry peat moss (as it comes from the

package). If the chestnuts are separated by the dry moss

and the package tightly closed, the nuts should stay in good

condition for several months. Freshly dug sand can also be

used. Use sand that has been dried in the sun with

occasional mixing until it is only very slightly damp. The

sand should be cooled before use in the milk carton. Sand

also keeps chestnuts in good viable condition for 2 years

by storing the freshly picked chestnuts in sealed plastic

bags and maintaining a temperature of 26 degrees Fahrenheit

to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. (This temperature range requires

special refrigeration).



If molding occurs in the refrigerator, the nuts may be

washed and/or scrubbed to remove mold, and placed on paper

toweling- with 1 or 2 paper changes- and then allowed to

room dry for several hours. After drying, place again in a

paper sack in the refrigerator until they are chilled, then

transfer to a clean plastic bag with holes punched in it.

If mold persists on the nuts for an extended period of

time, the kernels may become "off-color" and no longer

edible. If mold has been present, any bad kernels can be

spotted by cutting the nuts in half before cooking.
Reply:Step One

Pick when the nuts fall to the ground, beginning in September.

2

Step Two

Remove nuts from hulls and spread to dry in the sun for 1 to 2 days. In very hot climates, dry chestnuts in the shade.

3

Step Three

Store in a cool, dry place for several months.
Reply:i f i w a s u i d f o r g e t a b o u t i t.