Mmmmm............I love boiled peanuts. A southern delicacy, these tasty snacks are perfect with a fizzy drink or a glass of milk. Boiled peanuts take on more of a bean-like flavor with almost a mildly sweet taste. I like them so much better than fresh peanuts.
I had never tried boiled peanuts until I moved to North Carolina, where they are common in rural areas, especially in the eastern part of the state. Peanuts grow really well in eastern North Carolina, and a good number of the state's farmers are in the business of peanut production. To make boiled peanuts you have to use "raw" or "green" peanuts that come in their shell.
Boil them (in the shell) with about 4-6 cups of water (or as much as it takes to cover) for several hours or overnight in the crockpot on low as we did. Make sure to add a generous amount of salt (1/4 cup is good for 1 1b of peanuts), and you have an addictive treat on your hands. Some people like to add spices to the boiling water as well, such as red or cayenne pepper or seasoned salt.
To eat them I crack the shell open with my teeth, and most of the time it's easiest to slurp the salty juice out of the shell first and then eat the softened nut. Boiled peanuts can be pretty messy when eating, so be sure and have some napkins on hand.
Watch out! Boiled peanuts are surprisingly addictive :)
