This years crop around my way hasn't been great, they are all a bit shrivelled. If you are going to freeze them I find splitting the pointy end and boiling for a few minutes softens the shell and makes them easier to peel.
Try chestnut and bacon soup
fry up a diced onion with some chopped smoky bacon, add the chestnuts prepared as above, cover with chicken stock cook for 15-20 minutes and wiz up in a blender.