Boiling Peanuts

[chicks797]

I got some raw peanuts, soaked them overnight in water, then boiled them all day in jalapenos, spices, and salt. They are nice and soft but don't have much flavor. It's like the taste isn't making it into the shells. Any suggestions?

 

[Hoot]

Were they green...as in freshly dug or were they just raw but slightly dried?
We always use freshly dug peanuts...wash' em good, boil' em in a heavy brine, eat a few; freeze a few.

 

[Hoot]

BTW..Welcome to D.C.!

 

[GLC]

I wouldn't soak them overnight. I think that saturates them with plain water that has to be displaced later with salt water. A half hour soak is enough to soften the shell and start the process, but the soak isn't really required. Use plenty of salt. One cup per gallon. Any seasoning has to be pretty heavy to permeate the peanuts. Shrimp/crab boil is an option. Ham hocks is another.

I've never found the process much sensitive to issues of how long the peanuts have been stored after harvest. Plain old raw peanuts in the bag from the grocery have always worked. So I suspect timid seasoning, because if they cook until soft, they're getting the seasoning.

 

[chicks797]

Thanks! I used raw peanuts that were pretty dried out. I appreciate the tips!