Candied Chestnuts Food

MARRONS GLACé (CANDIED CHESTNUTS)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Place the chestnuts in a large pan with just enough water to cover them. Bring the water to a boil and cook the chestnuts for 10 minutes.
• Drain the chestnuts and discard the cooking liquid.
• Using a clean dish towel (some people prefer to use their fingers), rub the thin skin off the cooked chestnuts. Be careful as they might be hot, but right after they've been boiled is when removing the skin is the easiest.
• In a separate pan, bring the 2 1/2 cups water, granulated sugar, and vanilla to a boil, stirring constantly.
• Continue cooking the sugar mixture for 5 minutes, but now stirring occasionally.
• Add the prepared chestnuts to the boiling sugar syrup and stir the chestnuts until the whole mixture returns to a boil.
• Continue cooking the chestnuts, stirring frequently, for 10 more minutes.
• Pour the candied chestnuts along with the syrup into a large container and loosely cover it.
• Allow the chestnuts to soak in the syrup for 12 to 18 hours.
• Once the soaking time has passed, place the chestnuts and syrup into a clean pan and let boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Place the mixture in the same container you soaked them in the first time. Cover loosely for 18 to 24 hours.
• Repeat the entire process a total of 3 to 4 times (boil for 2 minutes, soak for up to 18 hours) until the sugar syrup has been totally absorbed by the chestnuts.
• Once there's no more liquid, it's time to bake the chestnuts in a preheated oven at 250 F. Arrange the candied chestnuts on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Place the baking sheet into the oven and turn off the heat. Allow the chestnuts to dry in the oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour until they have firmed up and the surfaces of the nuts are dry.
• Store the marrons glacé in an airtight tin, or if making for gifts, put into paper cases and box or wrap in cellophane. Enjoy.

RUM CANDIED CHESTNUTS

Steps:

• Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat; add sugar and stir until well blended. Stir in rum bring to a boil and simmer for 3-5 minutes. Add chestnuts and stir until coated with the caramel mixture.
• Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, place individual chestnuts on paper and cool for about 1 hour, until coating has hardened.
• Serve as a delicious Holiday snack, or a unique addition to your favorite salad!

CANDIED NUTS

Steps:

• Grease a baking sheet or line with a silicone mat.
• Cook and stir peanuts, sugar, and water together in a wide, heavy skillet over medium heat until liquid evaporates and nuts begin to crust with the hardening sugar; about 5 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and continue to cook and stir, scraping the bottom of the pan to coat peanuts with syrup as the sugar begins to melt and darken to a deep caramel color, about 10 minutes. Tilt pan away from the heat as needed to allow peanut mixture to darken without burning. Remove from heat immediately when peanuts are deeply bronzed; stir.
• Sprinkle peanuts with sea salt and cinnamon or chili powder; tilt peanuts onto prepared baking sheet to cool completely. Break up clumps. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.