HOW TO STORE CHESTNUTS - TRADITIONAL AND MODERN METHODS

Chestnuts are a seasonal treasure – delicious roasted, boiled, or turned into sweets, yet very delicate once harvested. Unlike other nuts, they contain plenty of water and very little oil, so they spoil fast if not stored properly. Macedonian households have long used clever, natural methods to keep them fresh through winter. Let’s check the best traditional and modern ways to store chestnuts.

🌰 1. Storing Chestnuts in Sand (Traditional Macedonian Way)

In mountain regions of Macedonia, such as Pelister, Debar, and Kriva Palanka, families kept chestnuts in layers of sand inside barrels or wooden boxes placed in cool cellars. This method keeps them fresh and prevents drying or molding.

How it’s done:

• Sort and wash chestnuts, removing any that float in water.
• Dry them with a cloth.
• Pour a 5–7 cm layer of slightly damp sand in a barrel.
• Add one layer of chestnuts, then cover with sand.
• Repeat until full and finish with a layer of sand.
• Keep in a cool, dark cellar (0–5 °C).
• Check every two weeks for bad nuts and maintain sand moisture.

✅ Result: Chestnuts stay firm and fresh for about three months.

💧 2. Water-Curing or “Novena”

An old Balkan practice known as “novena” involves soaking chestnuts in water for 5–9 days. This gentle fermentation process destroys insect larvae and fungi before long-term storage.

Steps:

• Place chestnuts in clean cold water for a week.
• Change the water daily and remove floaters.
• After soaking, drain and dry the nuts completely.
• Store them in mesh bags or wooden boxes in a cool cellar.

✅ Result: Reduces spoilage and keeps chestnuts fresh up to two months.

🏔️ 3. Covered with Ferns or Straw

In some rural Macedonian areas, chestnuts were spread on the ground or in shallow pits, covered with dry fern leaves or straw. The natural insulation kept humidity balanced.

Tips:

• The area must be dry and shaded.
• The layer of fern should be at least 10 cm thick.
• Check often to remove moldy nuts.

✅ Result: Works well for large quantities in cool mountain climates.

🌬️ 4. Cool and Ventilated Cellar Storage

The simplest modern method - store chestnuts in mesh or paper bags inside a cool, ventilated cellar or garage. Temperature should stay close to 0–5 °C with high humidity.

Do not use sealed plastic bags - lack of airflow causes mold. Check weekly and remove spoiled chestnuts immediately.

✅ Result: Keeps chestnuts fresh for 4–6 weeks.

❄️ 5. Freezing Chestnuts

For long-term storage, freezing is the safest modern option.

To freeze raw chestnuts:

• Cut a small slit in each nut (to prevent bursting).
• Freeze in airtight bags or containers.
• Thaw before roasting or boiling.

To freeze cooked chestnuts:

• Peel, cool, and freeze in portions.
• Reheat directly in oven or pan.

✅ Result: Chestnuts stay good up to 6 months.

☀️ 6. Drying Chestnuts

Dried chestnuts were once common in village households that didn’t have cold storage. Peeled and sliced chestnuts were sun-dried or dried above a wood stove until crisp.

They can later be boiled, ground into flour, or used for desserts.

✅ Result: Chestnuts last up to a year when kept in airtight jars or bags.

Whether you follow your grandmother’s cellar trick or use the freezer, the goal is the same — preserve the taste of autumn for the colder days ahead. Macedonia’s old storing methods remain clever and natural, proving that good food doesn’t need chemicals, just care and tradition.