Handful of peanuts on a white background
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Americans eat over a billion pounds of peanuts every year, according the Peanut Institute. This Georgia-based organization defines Spanish peanuts as those with the smallest kernels. Although some people like to eat raw peanuts, Spanish peanuts are most often eaten as a roasted snack, available in a variety of flavors from hundreds of food producers. However, roasting raw Spanish peanuts yourself is a fairly simple procedure and gives you some control over the salt and oil content.

Select raw peanuts; it's important to make sure the peanuts you plan to roast are fresh, clean and have been protected from rodents.

Prepare raw peanuts for roasting. Although peanuts are sometimes roasted in the shell, they are most often shelled first. To remove the skins from the peanuts, put them into a pot of boiling water for several minutes. After you have drained them and allowed them to cool, it will be easy to peel off the skins. Spread them out on paper towels to allow them to dry thoroughly before eating or using in a recipe.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Spread the peanuts out on baking pans with room between them. Before baking ,add salt or other flavorings, such as garlic salt, onion salt or paprika. You might want to lightly coat the peanuts with oil to help the seasonings stick.

Roast in the oven for approximately 15 minutes.

Roast in the Microwave

Follow steps 1 and 2 for oven roasting.

Spread raw, shelled peanuts into a square glass pan; drizzle with oil if you wish.

Microwave for 10 to 12 minutes in two-minute increments, stirring between each.

Add seasonings to the peanuts after roasting in the microwave.

Tips

  • In some parts of the country it is possible to buy raw peanuts at farmers' markets at various times during the year. In cities, natural food stores or health food emporiums usually carry raw peanuts, which are also widely available online.

    You can also roast peanuts in their shells following the same directions; add five extra minutes to the roasting time.

    Store your roasted peanuts in a jar, cookie tin or other airtight container. They don't need to be refrigerated if you are going to use them within a few weeks. However, if you want them to last longer, place them in a plastic storage bag and store them in the refrigerator or the freezer, where they will keep well for several months.