How You Will Know that I’m Not Southern
Do we dare stop to try them?
Since it was spring break for the girls last week, we decided to take a few days and head off to one of our favorite vacation spots in Virginia. We’ve been going to this place for years, and always pass this stand at the side of the road, barely registering its presence. But after all these years, Joe decided it was time to check out Boiled Peanuts.
Louisa: “You’re not going to stop there.”
Joe: “Why not, let’s see what boiled peanuts are.”
Louisa: “What if it’s not safe?”
Joe: “It’s been there for years, I’m sure it’s fine.”
Me: “I’m sure if the boiled peanuts were poisoned, the police would have closed down this stand years ago.”
Louisa: “What if the police came to do that and they became poisoned?”
Joe: “I’m pulling in.”
Me: “We’ll buy them and google them when we get back.”
Annie: No comment this whole time, she was listening to her iPod. That’s just the way it is with 14 year olds.
Wikipedia: ”Boiled peanuts are popular in some places where peanuts are common. Fully mature peanuts do not make good quality boiled peanuts; rather raw or “green” ones are used. “Raw” denotes peanuts in a semi-mature state, having achieved full size, but not being fully dried, as would be needed for roasting or peanut butter use. After boiling they take on a strong salty taste and become softer with the length of cooking, somewhat resembling a pea or bean, to which they are related. The most flavorful peanuts for boiling are the Valencia type. These are preferred in the United States, being grown in gardens and small patches throughout the South. Green Virginia type peanuts are also sometimes used.”
Further down on the Wikipedia page I learned that boiled peanuts have 4 times the antioxidants of raw or roasted peanuts. Who knew?
P.S. We ate the peanuts. They were soft and salty, but strangely appealing in a hearty, satisfying food kind of way. Somewhat reminiscent of sweet potato flavor, in my opinion. No one died from this food experiment.
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3 Responses to “How You Will Know that I’m Not Southern”
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I’ve had boiled peanuts and I would eat them again but I wouldn’t go out of my way for them. Its good to try new things or at least things that are new to you. I also heard that boiled peanuts were a CFA staple during the “War of Northern Aggression”.
Completely agree with your comments. Didn’t know about them being a staple of the Confederates, although I’m not surprised.
Leave it to Miguel to have some learned trivia on something as obscure as boiled peanuts! Very impressive professor!