boiled peanuts

boiled peanuts

first you nee to buy some "Raw" peanuts still in the shell......these are sometimes sold or called raw or green peanuts at Wal-Mart, Kroger's, Sams, Publix, Safeway, Albertsons, or etc.....most people that work in grocery stores outside of the south don't have a clue what raw or green peanuts are..much less boiled peanuts.........so just make sure they ain't roasted or salted or cooked peanuts when you buy them to boil. (I mean don't buy any like you get at baseball, football, or basketball games already salted and roasted....understand?)

put two pounds of raw peanuts still in the shell in a 3 quart pot and let them soak over night....(or what ever amount of peanuts will fit in whatever size your cooking pot is..it ain't that important..just make sure the peanuts are covered with water .)

after soaking all night...........cook on low heat.......kinda like a simmer for about maybe 3 - 4 hours...start off with the peanuts just covered with water (they may still be floating even after soaking all night but will cook down in the water in a little while) ..sprinkle half cup of salt over the peanuts and stir them occasionally......peanuts will absorb water so you need to keep adding water from time to time and also keep adding salt as you cook too.....after about 2 - 3 hours taste a peanut....when it is done it will be firm but not MUSHY...do not over cook.....when they get just right you can take them out of the water and eat them hot. You can also save the juice and keep some peanuts in that for later. if you let them sit in the juice they will absorb more liquid and be saltier..which could even make them better...........depends on your tastes........Boiled peanuts can be kept in the ice box for several days in an airtight tupper ware type container....or plastic zip lock bag........you can also drain them and freeze them if absolutely necessary..like if you were going on a car trip (or flying ) to parts of the country (North of Georgia and.or west of Mississippi) unfamiliar with boiled peanuts.

You can make them Cajun style too...just add jalapeño peppers and/or some Frank's Red Hot and/or Tabasco the last 1/2 or 45 mins of cooking...the peanuts will soak up the flavor.