As delicious as fresh chestnuts are, theres no denying that preparing them can be a real pain in the neck. To get things started, score an X through the rounded side of the nut. (Kirk D. McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
After youve roasted, or boiled and steamed, the nuts, use your fingers to break away the outer shell. One pound of chestnuts in their shell, about 20 whole nuts, will make about 2 cups of coarsely chopped nuts. (Kirk D. McKoy / Los Angeles Times)
