Boiled Peanuts

Can we talk about boiled peanuts? I do not understand. Maybe southerners are genetically predisposed to like them? Of course I had to find out more, and with the help of my semi-southern friend, I entered the world of peanut boiling! There's even a song.

Before...(is this not a great peanut picture?) 

Let me tell you facts about boiled peanuts. All you have to do is take "raw" peanuts in their shells, put them in a pot covered with water, and throw some salt in there. Then boil them. For hours and hours until they turn mushy and gross looking. A bill has been signed making boiled peanuts the official snack food of South Carolina. Boiled peanuts have four times the antioxidants of normal peanuts cause the nutrients are drawn out of the shell and into the nut. Healthy! Boiled peanuts are enjoyed in Vietnam, China, India, and many other countries. 

Ugly. Bad picture, sorry.

The verdict? They were....good. But weird. Slippery. Kinda briny tasting. I don't think we cooked them long enough, cause they didn't have that mushy texture I've heard is characteristic of them, but hey, I'm an amateur. And after a while they got rather addicting, surprisingly. If you want to try for yourself, grab a pound of peanuts in their shells and a 1/4 cup of salt, and put them in a big pot filled with water. Boil for at least three hours and enjoy! Speaking in an exaggerated southern accent while eating is pretty required.