I went to Nashville, TN last week and there are lots of stalls on the side of the road offering fresh produce and this one caught my interest. Boiled peanuts. It was my favorite snacks growing up! So I had to stop by and get some for the road.
They offered cajun and original flavor, I had never had cajun boiled peanuts before so I went with it. It was so salty compared to how my mother made them for me growing up. The cajun flavor and a bit of the heat were refreshing. But it was also too soft for my liking. Although I demolished a whole 32 oz cup of them and stopped at another stall to get more.
A 16 oz cup for the second time, also too soft and salty, so I assumed that is the Southern style. I still prefer these peanuts over donuts though, and when I got back to NYC, I went straight to get some raw peanuts and recreated it. I cooked them for under 2 hours, and tried one shell and that is how I like my peanuts, al dente.
Ingredients:
2 pounds raw peanuts in shells
1 tbsp garlic powder
2 tbsp salt
3 jalapeno peppers -sliced
1/3 cup cajun or creole seasoning
1 gallon water or more
Instructions:
- In a large pot over high heat, add peanuts, garlic powder, salt, jalapeno peppers and cajun seasoning.
- Pour in a gallon of water or enough to cover the peanuts when they are pushed down.
- Cover and bring it to boil, reduce to medium heat and keep cooking for about 2 hours or less if you like them a bit firmer.
- Check the water level every 30 minutes and add warm tap water if needed. Enjoy!
- Keep the leftovers in an airtight container, in the fridge for up to one week.