We planted a small patch of peanuts in out garden this spring and harvested a small batch of nuts this fall and need ideas on how to process them to eat. We have heard of boiled peanuts but need a recipe. Any ideas appreciated!

-- Emily (From central Ky) (bellyacresfarm@kyk.net), October 02, 2000

Answers

Boiling peanuts is about the easiest thing you can take up. Just wash the dirt off, drop'em in a pot with some salt, and boil'em for a couple of hours. I usually boil about 3 pounds at a time and use about 1/3 cup of salt. Sample them as you go, since "done" is a matter of personal taste, as is the degree of saltiness. Rather than put too much salt in at first, I will let them cool in the brine if they aren't salty enough, sometimes overnight. If you really like them, you can also can them. I sometimes boil a big batch in an iron pot, and put some in jars when they are about 1/2 done. Fill the jar with goobers, and half way with the brine they are cooking in, then fill the rest of the way with fresh, boiling water and put the jars right back in the pot with the rest of them, to finish cooking. CAUTION!!! Don't try boiling peanuts unless you are willing to plant a bigger patch next year. Darn! Now I'm hungry. I'll have to boil a batch tonite. ;-)>>>

-- Dan G (stagecoach@hotmail.com), October 02, 2000.

Roast 'em!!! I have yet to perfect the salted in the shell baseball park peanuts. But to roast. Heap a big cake pan full. 9 x 14 or so. Heat oven to about 275 and roast for 2 hours. stir em up every 20 minutes so they don't burn.

I have not been working to much on the salt in the shell lately. But I would recomend that you clean them off real well. You may be able to incorporate the clean up into the beginning of the salting process. Keep us posted.

-- John in S IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), October 04, 2000.

Well heck, I like 'em raw.

-- Les (lvaughn@suntransformer.com), October 06, 2000.