Brady Evans about childhood memories of what might just be the perfect snack.
By Brady Evans

This is my favorite snack. Favorite. What makes it my favorite? The emotions, the memories, and the taste. To me, this is what elevates good food to great food.

My extreme love for boiled peanuts was inherited from my father. I have memories of sitting in one side of a double basin kitchen sink, with boiled peanuts cooling in the other basin, and my dad standing in front of me, eating boiled peanuts until we could take no more. Mom and brother looked on without understanding our pleasure.

I remember dad coming home with bushels of green nuts, boiling them stovetop, and thinking it was taking forever for the peanuts to be perfectly tender. I remember road trips to little towns in South Carolina called Sniders and Round-O to pick up a grocery bag of the best boiled peanuts on the way to the beach.

With just two ingredients combining to make the best boiled peanuts, salt and nuts, you’ve got to be sure your source of green nuts is premium. There are two varieties around here: small red skinned nuts and jumbo white. The red skinned nuts are in season right now and these are my favorite.

Boiled Peanuts

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Author: Brady Evans
Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

Tender boiled peanuts, a Southern classic, perfect for snacking with just the right amount of saltiness.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1 pound (450 grams) green (raw) peanuts
1/2 cup (120 mL) salt
Water, enough to cover peanuts by about 3 inches

Instructions

Rinse and clean the green peanuts thoroughly to remove any dirt.
In a large pot, place the peanuts and add enough water to cover them by about 3 inches. Note that the peanuts will float, so use your best judgment to ensure they are adequately submerged.
Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
Once boiling, add the salt and stir to dissolve.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the peanuts for 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until they are tender. Stir occasionally and add more water if necessary to keep the peanuts submerged.
Once cooked, drain the peanuts and allow them to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

For the best flavor, use high-quality green peanuts. Small red-skinned nuts are particularly flavorful and are in season now. Store boiled peanuts in the refrigerator for up to a week. They can also be frozen for longer storage. Reheat them by boiling or microwaving before serving.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Category: Snack
Cuisine: American