Boiled peanuts are a staple Southern snack that can be traced back to the colonial era. They’re traditionally eaten as a summertime snack and are enjoyed in many parts of the world. Since green peanuts are only one of several varieties of peanuts, you may be wondering how long you should boil them.
Green peanuts should boil for around two to three hours before serving. Depending on what texture and consistency you want the peanuts, you can let them cook for more or less than the stipulated times above.
This article will go into more detail on how to prepare and cook green peanuts. I will also talk about how to store green peanuts correctly, as well as the health benefits of eating boiled peanuts.
How To Correctly Prepare and Cook Green Peanuts
The boiling process for green peanuts is different from that of dry, raw peanuts. Dry, raw peanuts are dehydrated after harvesting to extend their shelf life. If you want to use or consume these peanuts, you need to soak them in water to rehydrate them.
On the other hand, green peanuts do not need to be soaked in water before cooking, since they already have a high moisture content. Here are the steps to preparing and boiling green peanuts.
- Wash the peanuts. Run your green peanuts under clean water to get rid of any dirt. If you bought your green peanuts from a farmers’ market, the peanuts are likely to have debris like soil on them. Even if you didn’t get them from a farmers’ market, it’s still a good idea to wash your peanuts before cooking to be safe.
- Put the peanuts in a pot with water and bring to a boil. Add four cups (32 oz.) of water per pound (453 g) of green peanuts or enough to cover them all. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.
- Cover the pot and simmer the peanuts for two to three hours or more, depending on your desired texture. As the peanuts are cooking, try a nut or two to ensure you don’t overcook or undercook them.
- Add your preferred seasonings. Many people use salt alone, since this is the traditional way of preparing boiled peanuts. However, you can add any seasoning you want. For example, Old Bay and Cajun seasonings go great with boiled green peanuts.
- Drain the water and serve. Once your peanuts are at your desired softness and consistency, drain the water and enjoy!
Boiled green peanuts have a short shelf-life, so eating them within three or four days after cooking is recommended. That said, they may not taste as good after a couple of days in storage and may even rot.
How To Store Boiled Green Peanuts
“Green peanut” refers to freshly harvested peanuts that have not been dehydrated. Since that’s the case, they retain 50% to 60% of their moisture content. In other words, they spoil faster than peanuts that have been dried. That’s why it’s essential to store your cooked green peanuts properly, as follows.
Store Leftover Boiled Green Peanuts in Containers or Jars
The best way to keep leftover boiled green peanuts is in airtight containers or jars. You can also use ziplock bags if you prefer those or if you have no other containers available. Note that boiled peanuts only last a day or two at room temperature, so don’t leave them out on your kitchen table.
Keep the Containers With the Boiled Green Peanuts in a Fridge or Freezer
To extend the shelf life of your boiled green peanuts, store them in your refrigerator or freezer. Boiled peanuts can last around one week to 10 days when stored in the fridge. Meanwhile, storing your green peanuts in the freezer can preserve them for up to 6 months.
Benefits of Eating Boiled Green Peanuts
Fresh peanuts already have their fair share of health benefits. However, boiled peanuts have higher levels of antioxidants than fresh peanuts. When peanuts are cooked with their shell on, the kernel absorbs the antioxidants in the shell, boosting boiled peanuts’ benefits for your body.
Here are other reasons why boiled green peanuts benefit your health.
- Boiled green peanuts are cholesterol-free. If you struggle with high cholesterol or want to maintain your cholesterol levels, boiled peanuts are good to eat as they contain manganese. Manganese plays a role in processing cholesterol, protein, and carbohydrates.
- Boiled green peanuts are rich in fiber. Fiber keeps you full for longer since fiber helps regulate your body’s sugar usage, keeping excessive hunger at bay. Fiber also aids in lowering your cholesterol.
- Boiled green peanuts contain copper. Copper facilitates the formation of red blood cells and maintaining healthy blood vessels, bones, nerves, and immune system. Also, copper aids in iron absorption, so boiled peanuts are a great snack if you’re anemic.
- Boiled green peanuts are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 acids are healthy fats that provide various benefits, like reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, blood clots, and inflammation. If you don’t like or have access to fis (the most common source of Omega-3), boiled peanuts are an excellent alternative.
- Boiled green peanuts contain vitamin E. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that can prevent plaque or clots from developing in your arteries. Also, it improves your immune function.
- Boiled green peanuts are a source of L-arginine. L-arginine is an amino acid that can reduce high blood pressure. It does this by strengthening your artery walls, making them more flexible, and reducing the risk of getting blood clots.
- Boiled green peanuts are high in protein and plant sterols. Peanuts are a good source of protein, which is great if you don’t eat meat. On the other hand, plant sterols are compounds that limit the amount of cholesterol entering your body, reducing high cholesterol.
Conclusion
It’s possible to boil green peanuts at home, as long as you know how to. Like other peanuts, they come with a range of health benefits, but you should enjoy them in moderation. Otherwise, boiled green peanuts are a delicious snack, and you can snack on them no matter the season.
