To prepare chestnuts for cooking, you will need to remove their tough outer shell and thin inner skin. This can be done by scoring an "X" into the flat side of the nut and then boiling or roasting ...

slit the rounded shell of the nut, bring to the boil in plenty of cold water and cook for 20 minutes. Leave the nuts in the hot water so that they stay warm and soft as you peel. Dried chestnuts ...