Frequently asked questions
What are the origins of boiled peanuts?
Boiled peanuts got to the Southern United States via slave ships traveling from Africa. Peanuts were used in cooking across Africa, and enslaved Africans planted them in America. The practice of eating boiled peanuts began with green peanuts, which are available for a short amount of time in late summer. This recipe calls for easily sourced dried peanuts. Be sure to buy raw and not roasted peanuts for this recipe.
How long does it take to boil peanuts?
The boiling time for peanuts depends on whether you have been able to soak the peanuts first. Soaking peanuts eight hours or overnight cuts the boiling time in half, to as little as two hours.
Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen
It can be difficult to tell if your boiled peanuts are salty enough before they are done. Taste them after two hours of cooking, and keep in mind that they will get saltier as they cool in the salty cooking liquid. If you like, sprinkle a bit of salt on them after they cook, but remember that a well-boiled peanut will have salinity throughout the nut. If you like, you can season the cooking water with cayenne pepper, bay leaves, or chicken or vegetable stock for a more flavorful peanut.
