Pumpkin Center, Kern County, California. This article is about the unincorporated community in Kern County. For the unincorporated community in Lassen County, see Pumpkin Center, Lassen County, California.
Harvesting Chestnut Trees. After the chestnuts fall from the tree, watch for the spiny burs to split. Donât harvest chestnuts if the burs are still green and closed because the nuts inside will be unripe. Harvest the nuts every couple of days.
How to Eat Chestnuts. Chestnuts taste best when they have had a chance to dry out and ripen. Leave what you plan to eat on the counter for a few days. During this drying process, the chestnuts ripen and the carbohydrates are converted to sugars, enhancing the sweetness of the chestnut.