Marrons glaces, redux

It's that time of year again, almost!

I'm not bumping last year's topic of that name, because it turned out to be more about a jarred product available at Turkish markets. And very good those jarred sugared chestnuts are too. I've been using them in desserts ever since they were recommended here.

However, I'm looking for the decadent end-of-year marrons glaces that are sold like bonbons. My baby sister must have a box of marrons every year at Christmas. I am normally reduced to mail-ordering from Dean & Deluca or something ridiculous like that. Zingerman's has them sometimes but not always; same with Williams and Sonoma. Anyone get them elsewhere? As it's a once-yearly gift, I don't care too much about getting a discount but would like to have more mail-order sources.

And for my own use: whatever happened to the broken and irregular marrons glaces one used to be able to buy in different places? Are they all sold straight off to be used in confectionery now? I used to see them at Treasure Island and elsewhere under different labels. We love marrons glaces here, but I can't bring myself to buy a fancy box for home consumption.

My grandma used to make pretty good marrons glaces herself, and I have tried but found it impossible. I am not a candy person.

Treasure Island pretty much always has marrons glace in their cheese case. They come in packages of three, and as I recall, either plain or chocolate covered, both are foil wrapped individually and then cello wrapped in threes. I have not tried them, so can make no claims as to quality.

annieb wrote:Treasure Island pretty much always has marrons glace in their cheese case. They come in packages of three, and as I recall, either plain or chocolate covered, both are foil wrapped individually and then cello wrapped in threes. I have not tried them, so can make no claims as to quality.

I have tried them, and they were good on all three occasions.

Thank you both! I had forgotten that's where TI kept them. I will be cruising by the Wilmette TI next week and will try some out. My sister the marrons addict will be glad to know she can get a fix when she's visiting.

Now I would love to find a source for cheap(er) broken ones. Online may be the place. I am resigned to paying a lot for the whole ones.