Garlic Boiled Peanuts

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Oh Lordy!!.  When you say “Boiled Peanuts” can you get any more Southern?  Boiled Peanuts played such a big part of my upbringing and when I eat boiled peanuts I am taken right back to my childhood. 

Growing up my grandparents always had a garden.  They grew such a big variety of fruits and vegetables.  Both of my grandparents loved to garden and every summer we could always count on fresh butter beans, okra, tomatoes, potatoes, corn, cucumbers, squash, onions, green beans and of course peanuts. 

I remember my granddad would plow up the peanuts and would bring the fresh green peanuts to my Grandmother in her small but very productive kitchen.  When I was small I honestly did not know the peanuts had to be green or raw to make boiled peanuts.  My grandmother would clean them, soak then in really salty water for several hours, clean them again and then bring them to boil in a big pan of salty water.  She would simmer the nuts all day until they were soft and then she would dip us out a big bowl and we would dig in with such gusto.  We all love us some “boiled peanuts”! 

My family’s love for boiled peanuts also played a big part of our family vacations.  My “Carolina Grandparents” (my mother’s parents) lived in Wilmington, North Carolina.  Several times each summer we would travel to Wilmington to visit my grandparents and spend some time at Wrightsville Beach.  About thirty minutes before we reached my grandparents house there was the cutest little country store which sold boiled peanuts. Every trip to my grandparents house would include a stop by the country store to buy some fresh boiled peanuts.  Of course my brother, sister and I always had to have our own bags because face it no one really wants to share their boiled peanuts. 

Once I had children and we starting taking roads trips, my girls and I would always look for signs on the side of the road featuring “hot boiled peanuts”.  And now that my girls have had children, their children also love boiled peanuts and I am sure once they all can read road signs they will be looking for boiled peanuts also.  In the last couple years since I have moved to North Carolina, I always try to find fresh green peanuts at the farmers market to make boiled peanuts for the family.  My recipe differs in the fact that I like to add roasted garlic and fresh garlic to my pot just to add a little different flavor to the peanuts.  Oh my garlic boiled peanuts are so good.  I love to make a big batch when I can and take them to our weekly trips to the pool.  We always make plenty to share with all the neighbors at the pool since so many of us love boiled peanuts.  As a matter a fact there are some in the fridge at this very moment for Saturday’s pool day.    

Garlic Boiled Peanuts

Recipe by Cooking with Aunt PamCourse: Appetizers, SnacksDifficulty: Easy

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

2

hours 

20

minutes

Looking for that perfect southern snack to take on any road trip. Try these boiled peanuts. Oh so good! 

Ingredients

• Five pounds of fresh green peanuts (this makes a pretty big batch) or raw peanuts

• 4 tablespoons of roasted garlic or roasted garlic powder

• 10 to 12 cloves of fresh garlic

• 4 gallons of water (enough water to bring the peanuts to a float)

Directions

• Wash the peanuts in cold water until the water runs clear.  Soak the peanuts for 20-30 minutes to loosen any remaining dirt. 
   
• Drain and rinse the peanuts to remove any remaining dirt.  Add the peanuts to a 16-quart pot.  Add the salt, roasted garlic and garlic cloves. Stir well.  Cover and cook on high for about 3 hours.  Reduce heat and continue to simmer for 3 to 4 hours longer.  Add more water throughout the cooking process when needed. 
   
• Strain the peanuts and once they are cooled and after you have eaten a hot bowl of boiled peanuts, store the peanuts in the fridge for up to one week.