Notes on Candied Chestnuts

Directions

1. 1
   Remove the outer shell.
2. 2
   Take care not to hurt yourself.
3. 3
   This step is the most labor intensive.
4. 4
   Boil water in a pot.
5. 5
   Add chestnuts and vinegar.
6. 6
   Simmer over medium heat until boiling, then turn the heat to low.
7. 7
   Simmer for another 10 minutes.
8. 8
   Adding vinegar prevents the chestnuts from falling apart.
9. 9
   Rinse chestnuts carefully in water.
10. 10
    Add chestnuts carefully into a pot.
11. 11
    Soak in plenty of water.
12. 12
    Add sugar.
13. 13
    Crack open a gardenia fruit and add to the pot.
14. 14
    Make a drop lid with a parchment paper and cover the pot.
15. 15
    Simmer for 20 minutes over low heat, then set aside to cool overnight.
16. 16
    Put the chestnuts carefully into a sterilized container.
17. 17
    Strain the syrup through a strainer and add mirin.
18. 18
    Simmer and reduce for 10 minutes.
19. 19
    Pour into the container with chestnuts.
20. 20
    For long-term preservation, sterilize the whole jar for 10 minutes.
21. 21
    You can also freeze in a Ziploc bag.