Green peanuts are really just fresh raw peanuts straight from the ground (before they've been salted, dried or roasted). If you've never had a boiled green peanut, they're closer in spirit to edamame than the dry roasted variety sold by the monocled peanut. They're not actually green, but the name is a disambiguation for the term "raw peanut" which can include dried roasted peanuts.
Honestly, I'm not sure why these things aren't in the freezer aisle alongside edamame, because they'd be flying off the shelves if they were. The fresh nuts are more crispy than crunchy with a mild creamy flavor. Paired with the Chinese spices in this brine, they make for a delicious snack with an addictive quality that keeps your hand going back for more.
What's your favorite way of having peanuts?
It all started with a bag of five spice laced brine, which I'd mixed for some pork chops I was planning to make for dinner. In the latest chapter of my love-hate saga with Whole Foods, the hero (that's me!) unwrapped the eco-friendly butcher paper and was confronted by the foul stench of rotting meat. I was irked by the fact that I had to throw out two chops I'd purchased but one day earlier, especially since this wasn't the first time this has happened (Whole Food's are you listening?).
What really got my goat though was the fact that I'd already mixed the brine. I couldn't bear to throw another thing out, so I tossed the bag in the fridge and headed up to Chinatown in search of some replacement meat (hormone laden as it may be, I've never been sold spoiled meat in Chinatown). As I walked down the south side of Canal Street, I noticed the cart vendors had green peanuts for $2 a pound. Lightbulb flashing, I bought a pound of them and decided to repurpose the brine to cook the hourglass shaped beauties.
Back at home I used my brine to boil the peanuts. I tasted a few last night, but they were bland and unmemorable, so I left them in the brine overnight to see if they'd be better in the morning.
I woke up and headed straight for the stock pot this morning. Cracking open a peanut, I found two satisfyingly salty, plump peanuts, which were promptly redirected into my mouth. It didn't take long before I moved the whole pot over to the table and was popping one after the other, until table was littered with shells, and my hands and face were covered in brine from the shells, which have a tendency to squirt.
I did eventually get myself to stop, but not before I contemplated pulling a beer from the fridge to go with the peanuts...
More Favorite Snacks
- Spicy Edamame
- Easy Peanut Butter Cookies
- Daigaku Imo - Glazed Japanese Sweet Potatoes
- Taiyaki (Fish Shaped Pastry)
Recipe
Boiled Peanuts
Ingredients
- 1 pound peanuts fresh green
- 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon five spice powder
- 2 star anise whole
- 1 clove garlic mashed
- 2 chilies thai (sliced in half lengthwise)
- 3 cups water
Instructions
- Thoroughly rinse any extra dirt off the peanuts.
- Add all the ingredients into a covered pot and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to a simmer and cook for about 30 minutes. Turn off the heat and let the peanuts sit in the brine overnight.
- The next day, drain the peanuts and serve. Refrigerate any uneaten portion.
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Marc Matsumoto says
Nope, I wish:-) It's just the same 'ole 24-70mm f/2.8. The surface is the same stainless steel chef's table I shoot 90% of my photos on. It get a cool semi reflective effect when I line the lens up with the table surface because of the bokeh.
zested says
Great photo! Have you invested in a macro lens? What surface are you shooting on to get such a nice reflection?
Jackie at PhamFatale.com says
At home, we always boil peanuts. It's the perfect snack. BUt I never add any spices like you, it's a great idea. Next time, I'll add the chiles, garlic and star anise. I'm sure some added flavors wouldn't hurt. Thanks for sharing.
Otherwise you can fry them and then make the Indian version called chudva. check it out at https://www.phamfatale.com/id_298/title_South-Indian-Spicy-Nut-and-Puffed-Rice-Snack-Chudwa/
Jeff says
When I use to travel for my previous job there was this killer grocery store that I would stop by and grab lbs of raw peanuts. Got into the habit of just experimenting with them or flat out just making my own roasted.
Loved doing that because they are a great snack. Unfortunately that grocery store is three hours away and I can't find raw peanuts anywhere in this bloody town.
I hate the spoiled meat. There is a place here I won't buy from because their meat is horrible but thankfully good butcher shops in the Midwest are damn near on every street corner.
Jackie at PhamFatale.com says
At home, we always boil peanuts. It's the perfect snack. BUt I never add any spices like you, it's a great idea. Next time, I'll add the chiles, garlic and star anise. I'm sure some added flavors wouldn't hurt. Thanks for sharing.
Otherwise you can fry them and then make the Indian version called chudva. check it out at https://www.phamfatale.com/id_298/title_South-Indian-Spicy-Nut-and-Puffed-Rice-Snack-Chudwa/
Jeff says
When I use to travel for my previous job there was this killer grocery store that I would stop by and grab lbs of raw peanuts. Got into the habit of just experimenting with them or flat out just making my own roasted.
Loved doing that because they are a great snack. Unfortunately that grocery store is three hours away and I can't find raw peanuts anywhere in this bloody town.
I hate the spoiled meat. There is a place here I won't buy from because their meat is horrible but thankfully good butcher shops in the Midwest are damn near on every street corner.
MrsDocChuck says
My husband eats raw peanuts to get more much-needed roughage in his diet.
Also, he believes them to increase potency, though I have serious doubts about that.
I prefer my nuts roasted.
chef E says
I have never boilded peanuts and I bet my hubby's mom would love for me to do some, since she is nuts about these nuts...I have always had them at ball games...already cooked. Great photo by the way!
MrsDocChuck says
My husband eats raw peanuts to get more much-needed roughage in his diet.
Also, he believes them to increase potency, though I have serious doubts about that.
I prefer my nuts roasted.
chef E says
I have never boilded peanuts and I bet my hubby's mom would love for me to do some, since she is nuts about these nuts...I have always had them at ball games...already cooked. Great photo by the way!
Jan says
This is amazing - I would never have thought of boiling peanuts! Your photo is fantastic too.
Nicole says
You don't have to yell at the Whole Foods butcher, but you really should have returned that meat for a refund.
I got sold some bad fish by my local supermarket and got double my money back. Whole Foods should at *least* refund your money!
Dot says
Also from the South, and I've been eating boiled peanuts since I was a kid. But I've never thought of flavoring the brine that way. What a great idea! thanks for the tip 🙂
Jan says
This is amazing - I would never have thought of boiling peanuts! Your photo is fantastic too.
Nicole says
You don't have to yell at the Whole Foods butcher, but you really should have returned that meat for a refund.
I got sold some bad fish by my local supermarket and got double my money back. Whole Foods should at *least* refund your money!
Dot says
Also from the South, and I've been eating boiled peanuts since I was a kid. But I've never thought of flavoring the brine that way. What a great idea! thanks for the tip 🙂
katiek says
i am trying to imagine how this would taste - other than delicious. My mom loves peanuts. she brings them back from shanghai in vacuum sealed bags for the suitcase full. When we don't come home she only eats peanuts.
I'll pass this her way. Although she likes those fried ones...
Aparna says
Takes me back to my childhood. In those days, this used to be sold on the train as "time pass". The idea was to "pass the time" during those long journeys shelling them and eating those delicious peanuts. 🙂
We have faster trains now in India and the a lot of the magic of those train trips seems to be missing now. 🙁
katiek says
i am trying to imagine how this would taste - other than delicious. My mom loves peanuts. she brings them back from shanghai in vacuum sealed bags for the suitcase full. When we don't come home she only eats peanuts.
I'll pass this her way. Although she likes those fried ones...
Sylvia says
all time favorites when i was still living in indonesia, haven't had them for ages though. note to self: buy raw peanuts and try marc's recipe over the weekend.
Aparna says
Takes me back to my childhood. In those days, this used to be sold on the train as "time pass". The idea was to "pass the time" during those long journeys shelling them and eating those delicious peanuts. 🙂
We have faster trains now in India and the a lot of the magic of those train trips seems to be missing now. 🙁
Heather says
Next time walk those rotten pork chops back to Whole Paycheck and scream at the meat guy. (I know you're really too nice and even-keeled to do that, but it's still fun to fantasize.)
Boiled peanuts sound like an African snack, like something spicy and Maggi-salty to have with a snappy beer.
Figtreeapps says
I always see these in Asian markets..now Im actually gonna pick them up..thanks for the great idea!Figtreeapps
Sylvia says
all time favorites when i was still living in indonesia, haven't had them for ages though. note to self: buy raw peanuts and try marc's recipe over the weekend.
Jenni Field says
I'm also chiming in from the South to say that boiled peanuts are Everywhere down here. I've never been a fan, honestly, but flavoring the brine makes so much sense. I tend to brines/broths to flavor all sorts of items; thanks for helping me generalize to these wee little guys.
Laura @ Hungry and Frozen says
Am beyond intrigued. Not sure where I could find fresh green peanuts but dammit I'm gonna look.
Also, completely sucky that you were sold spoiled meat! Is that even legal?
Heather says
Next time walk those rotten pork chops back to Whole Paycheck and scream at the meat guy. (I know you're really too nice and even-keeled to do that, but it's still fun to fantasize.)
Boiled peanuts sound like an African snack, like something spicy and Maggi-salty to have with a snappy beer.
Figtreeapps says
I always see these in Asian markets..now Im actually gonna pick them up..thanks for the great idea!Figtreeapps
Tartlette says
You'd be in heaven here..They are like a meal on to itself. And only 50 cents a pound 🙂
Sweetmarie says
I adore boiled peanuts. Growing up my mother would cook them in salted water. Definitely have to try your recipe!
Tangled Noodle says
Curse my peanut intolerance! I'd love to taste this but it may require a side of antihistamines. Usually, whenever I come across an interesting recipe that calls for peanuts, I simply substitute another nut but I don't think that strategy applies here. Nevertheless, these boiled peanuts sound marvelous!
L says
Like Doc, I'm a native of the south - S.C. and G.A., as a matter of fact! - and I have fond memories of summers spent on the front porch swing at my grandparent's house with a huge pot of boiled peanuts. My grandfather, a peanut farmer, made them frequently with nothing more than salt.
Not only are they insanely addictive, but boiling them brings out a lot of the natural antioxidants that peanuts have, which means this method is way better than roasting them, when it comes to health!
DocChuck says
As a native Southerner (USA), I have been enjoying boiled peanuts for most of my 67 years on the planet. Of course they are iconic in the South Carolina and in Georgia.
However, I don't think I would like the asian spices. We always use Cajun spices in ours.
Marysol says
Marc, that's a gorgeous presentation.
I've never had green peanuts. But the idea of freshly-boiled peanuts with an ice-cold beer would be a welcoming experience.
Jenni Field says
I'm also chiming in from the South to say that boiled peanuts are Everywhere down here. I've never been a fan, honestly, but flavoring the brine makes so much sense. I tend to brines/broths to flavor all sorts of items; thanks for helping me generalize to these wee little guys.
Jen says
A gorgeous photo! I haven't encountered green peanuts yet. Your description of their addictive nature and the brine has ignited a craving before a tasting. I must find some.
Laura @ Hungry and Frozen says
Am beyond intrigued. Not sure where I could find fresh green peanuts but dammit I'm gonna look.
Also, completely sucky that you were sold spoiled meat! Is that even legal?
Tartlette says
You'd be in heaven here..They are like a meal on to itself. And only 50 cents a pound 🙂
Sweetmarie says
I adore boiled peanuts. Growing up my mother would cook them in salted water. Definitely have to try your recipe!
Tangled Noodle says
Curse my peanut intolerance! I'd love to taste this but it may require a side of antihistamines. Usually, whenever I come across an interesting recipe that calls for peanuts, I simply substitute another nut but I don't think that strategy applies here. Nevertheless, these boiled peanuts sound marvelous!
L says
Like Doc, I'm a native of the south - S.C. and G.A., as a matter of fact! - and I have fond memories of summers spent on the front porch swing at my grandparent's house with a huge pot of boiled peanuts. My grandfather, a peanut farmer, made them frequently with nothing more than salt.
Not only are they insanely addictive, but boiling them brings out a lot of the natural antioxidants that peanuts have, which means this method is way better than roasting them, when it comes to health!
DocChuck says
As a native Southerner (USA), I have been enjoying boiled peanuts for most of my 67 years on the planet. Of course they are iconic in the South Carolina and in Georgia.
However, I don't think I would like the asian spices. We always use Cajun spices in ours.
Marysol says
Marc, that's a gorgeous presentation.
I've never had green peanuts. But the idea of freshly-boiled peanuts with an ice-cold beer would be a welcoming experience.
Jen says
A gorgeous photo! I haven't encountered green peanuts yet. Your description of their addictive nature and the brine has ignited a craving before a tasting. I must find some.
Holly says
You sure your not from Hawaii??? Boiled peanuts are a very popular snack here.
Rasa Malaysia says
Ah, this is my favorite childhood junkfood. There were boiled peanuts mobile stalls that sell these in Penang and my parents loved to buy them. These peanuts were always packed with newspaper in a pyramid shape. Nowadays, there are hardly any hawkers left selling boiled peanuts...so sad when I think of so many disappearing culinary culture.
Holly says
You sure your not from Hawaii??? Boiled peanuts are a very popular snack here.
diva says
ahhh, this is delish! you can often find these at Chinese tea egg stalls in night markets in Singapore. they smell really good from being boiled in broth and the peanuts simple melt in your mouth. there's a little crunch on the outside but once you bite into it, it kinda resembles really good mash. love it!!
Rasa Malaysia says
Ah, this is my favorite childhood junkfood. There were boiled peanuts mobile stalls that sell these in Penang and my parents loved to buy them. These peanuts were always packed with newspaper in a pyramid shape. Nowadays, there are hardly any hawkers left selling boiled peanuts...so sad when I think of so many disappearing culinary culture.
diva says
ahhh, this is delish! you can often find these at Chinese tea egg stalls in night markets in Singapore. they smell really good from being boiled in broth and the peanuts simple melt in your mouth. there's a little crunch on the outside but once you bite into it, it kinda resembles really good mash. love it!!