How It’s Done: South Carolina Boiled Peanuts (2024)

FAQs

How to know when boiled peanuts are done? ›

Once the peanuts have boiled for three hours (one hour for green peanuts), sample them to check their texture and salinity. Remove a peanut, and when it is cool enough to handle, crack open its shell and taste the kernel, slurping some brine with it. If the peanut crunches, it should be cooked further.

Boiled Peanuts: From Necessity to Southern Delicacy

But good ideas have a way of spreading and, today, Southerners know how great boiled peanuts are. Not only are boiled peanuts called “the caviar of the South,” but they are also the official state snack of South Carolina.

But most agree that the practice of boiling peanuts originated in Africa and was introduced to American Southern culture by slaves, as the South is where the peanut crop flourished. Boiling was a clever and delicious way to enjoy the fresh-harvested or “green” peanuts that were not yet dry enough to roast.

The process of boiling peanuts draws antioxidants from their shells. The boiled peanuts have four times the antioxidants of raw or roasted peanuts. Boiled peanuts have also been studied as a potential way to treat people with peanut allergies since boiling peanuts denatures proteins that trigger allergic reactions.

Put the water, salt, seasoning, peanuts in a large stockpot, bring to a boil: Cover and reduce the heat just enough to maintain a low boil. Boil for 2 to 3 hours or longer (some boil their peanuts all day), until peanuts reach desired level of softness. Drain and eat up.

The peanut was known throughout the South as a goober pea. The word goober comes from the Congo name for peanuts – nguba.

Made from sugar, fermented apples, and yeast, the vinegar adds a sweet, tangy flavor to the peanuts. The acid provides balance to the savory spices that have already been added, transforming the peanuts into a well-rounded, flavorful snack with depth.

The longer you allow the peanuts to soak in the brine, the more flavor they'll soak up. It is very hard to overcook boiled peanuts. When in doubt, give them a little longer.

Dried peanuts will require a longer soaking time before cooking, so leave them to soak for at least 8 hours or overnight. Soaking the peanuts ensures that they will soften more easily when they are cooked, giving them their delicious texture.

Too much peanuts intake at one time may even lead to stomach discomfort. Constipation, diarrhoea and bloating are common issues associated with excessive peanuts intake. So, it is recommended to take peanuts in moderate quantities if you are already suffering from stomach related issues.

Can you overcook boiled peanuts? ›

Can you overcook Boiled Peanuts? Unfortunately, you can definitely overcook boiled peanuts. Overcooked boiled peanuts tend to turn out mushy, so be sure to follow the instructions carefully and not cook them longer than recommended in your instant pot.

When done, boiled peanuts should have a similar texture to a cooked dry bean. It should hold its shape, but not crunch when bitten.

Q: Do you have to cook Peanut Patch Boiled Peanuts? ANSWER: Of course not. They're already cooked (boiled) and ready to savor right out of the can. But you can heat them if you'd like.

Time is an essential factor when boiling peanuts. Boiling time softens the peanuts, and soaking time increases the juicy flavor inside the shells. The amount of time required to boil peanuts depends on the raw peanuts' maturity, size, kernel moisture content, and your taste.