Boiled Peanuts
Last spring, the National Peanut Board sent me some peanuts and coke as part of a national campagin to raise awareness about how delicious it is when you put peanuts in your coke. During the email exchange they asked me if there was anything else they could do and I said “well, if you’ve got any green peanuts…” And here we are.
When we got home from Savannah & Charleston we were very excited to see a box full of peanuts on our doorstep. Well, I was very excited. Dan didn’t know what to expect. I put them aside until this past Saturday, when we held our second annual Eastern North Carolina Barbeque. As you may know, smoking pork takes a zillion hours, and with party goers arriving as early as 11, I wanted something for people to nosh on. Namely, I wanted boiled peanuts for people to nosh on.
First of all, for those of you who have never had a boiled peanut, they’re heaven. The specialty of roadside stands across the south, they’re salty, mashed-potato like, perfectly delicious peanuts. You boil the green peanuts for hours in salted, spiced water, then eat them hot. A delicacy, in my opinion.
They were a hit. Thanks, Peanut Board!
Boiled Peanuts
1 lb fresh green peanuts
2 quarts water
1/2 cup kosher or sea salt
1 tbsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp chipotle spice
Combine all ingredients in a large pot. Boil for 3-5 hours, or until peanuts are tender. Strain and serve.