How to Make Hot Boiled Traditional Southern Style Peanuts

Here is a Southern treat that is very popular. Canned is good but they are best fresh!

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Crockpot
• Salt
• Green Peanuts (fresh, not roasted)

1. A green peanut is not green in color, just freshly harvested. It takes 90 to 100 days to grow peanuts for boiling, and they are available only during May through November throughout the southern states.
2. Rinse unshelled peanuts in cold water until water runs clear; then soak in cool, clean water for about 30 minutes before cooking.
3. When boiling the peanuts, you are going to want to use a crock pot; you can boil them on the stove but frankly that will take so long it will take up your whole day!
4. Fill the crock pot about 2/3 full of water.
5. Add the salt, usually 1/2 to 1 cup. The water should taste saltier than the ocean. If you are still nervous add one cup salt to one gallon water and you can add more if needed.
6. Add the raw peanuts, they may float a bit but that's ok, once they get soaked with water they will settle down.
7. Turn crock pot on high, put on the lid, and let it cook for at least 6 hours.
8. Pull out a nut and check it, it should easily open between your fingers and the peanut should be soft. They can take as long as 12 hours, which is why the crock pot is such a good choice! Average time is 6-8 hours. Everyone’s taste is different - you may want them firmer, softer, or saltier. Start checking at 6 hours and if they need more salt, add some and stir it in. You can also use this time to check the texture, longer equals softer. As long as you check them every half hour to hour after, you really can't do it wrong!
9. They last up to a week in the fridge, and you can freeze them, but they are always best fresh. Left out you will need to eat them within the next day or so!

Tips & Warnings

• Secret ingredient. Add a bit of beer to the water while cooking.
• You can spice them up really nice too, Cajun spices are great ! Add while boiling.