I’ve got some roasted chestnuts, which are delicious, but it seems to be virtually impossible to get the chestnut out of the shell without turning it into a pile of crumbs stuck to bits of shell.

Is there a special technique?

If raw, give them to the wife!! Although they are more tasy raw.
I nuke mine in the microwave and cut a cross in the top, the cross then peels a little giving a tab to let you peel the rest off.

I think you cut across the top (as above) and soak in really hot water for 10 minutes or so.

Take them off your chest and stick them on the wall, they become wallnuts

They’ve been cut with a cross before roasting. Maybe the hot water trick might work….

So,

A group of chess enthusiasts had checked into a hotel, and were standing around in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse.

“But why?” they asked, as they moved off.

“Because,” he said, “I can’t stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer.”

‘Snigger’

Chop in half, boil for a minute and peel easily…

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE1hV4dSBmc[/video]

Take them off your chest and stick them on the wall, they become wallnuts

best not start sneezing then, else they become cashewnuts

IGMC