British Columbia: Chestnuts for Ice Cream ???

I have recently returned from Italy making gelato with chestnuts. I would like to find sources of chestnuts to make Italian Ice Cream. Can anyone help me with the type of chestnut I should be using - the best varietal with aroma and flavour. Is there a growing location or source in BC, as I would ideally like to use local. It needs to be a varietal that is stunning - so the ice cream can be stunning.

Thanks so much, please email if you can help - get2thetop@hotmail.com.

J

 

Any species of chestnut is OK; the most widely available is Sweet Chestnut Castanea sativa.

Make sure you don't get mixed up with horse-chestnuts Aesculus, as they are poisonous.

 

As a very special treat try Marron Glaces as a luxury topping! Glazed Chestnuts.


http://www.practicallyedible.com/edible.nsf/pages/marronsglaces

 

I'm a huge fan of chestnuts as trees and culinarily speaking. I'm not sure it they ship to Canada, but Burnt Ridge Nursery in Wash. state has an amazing selection of chestnuts suited of the Pacific Northwest.

Here's their link: http://www.burntridgenursery.com/nutTrees/index_product.asp?dept=53&parent=