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1
Heat the broth to a boil.
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2
Stir in the 1/2 teaspoon salt, or more if the broth is bland, and a few grinds of black pepper.
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3
Stir in all the chestnut, squash, and leek pieces; return to a steady perking boil.
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4
Cover, and cook for 45 minutes to an hour, until the vegetables have softened, melted, and thickened the soup.
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5
Stir frequently, and lower the heat as the soup thickens.
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6
Cook uncovered if you want a thicker soup; add water to thin it.
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7
Taste, and adjust the seasonings.
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8
Serve hot in warm bowls, with freshly grated cheese, extra-virgin olive oil, and other garnishes (see page 60).
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9
I love fresh chestnuts.
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10
Though its easy to take off the outer shell, the frustrating part is the skin-tight brown peel around the nut meat.
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11
With the blanching-and-chilling method hereand a cooperative batch of nutsthe shell and skin should come off together.
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12
I always buy a few pounds of nuts when theyre fresh, and enjoy most of them as Skillet Roasted Chestnuts (page 407).
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13
Be sure to try ityou wont have to peel those nuts; your guests will!
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14
To peel chestnuts, cut a slit about 1/2 inch long in the outer shell of each nut.
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15
Bring a quart or so of water to the boil, drop in the nuts, and boil them for 5 minutes.
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16
Drain, and spread them on a tray or baking sheet; while the nuts are still hot, set the tray in the freezer (or outside, if its cold enough), and freeze for 30 minutes to an hour, maximum.
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17
To peel a nut, break open the shell at the slit and tear apart the inner skinits helpful to use the tip of a paring knife.
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18
Loosen the skin with the knife, and pry off the shell and skin at one time.
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19
If necessary, break the nut meat to get the skin out of the wrinklesthe nuts will be chopped up for cooking anyway.
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20
When you come upon a really unpeelable nut, just pare the peel, losing some nut meat, or try the technique suggested by Judith Jones, my editor and an expert cook.
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21
Put up to a dozen slit chestnuts in a microwave oven and cook them for about 30 seconds.
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22
The skin should come off easily, she says.
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23
If not, microwave for another few seconds.
