Boiled peanuts are very popular in Hawaii. Art's parents made and sold them at their restaurant many decades ago. Art's mom taught me how to make them so that Art could have his favorite snack.
I tried making them on the mainland and brought them in for teacher friends to try in school. They weren't exactly excited about it, except for the few who happened to be from the south. During the civil war they were called goober peas.
In Hawaii, they say boiled peanuts probably came from China where they cooked it with salt and star anise as well. The Chinese were one of the earliest groups to arrive in Hawaii to work in the sugar plantation fields.
Some people also wonder if Southern soldiers during WWII may have brought boiled peanuts to Hawaii. I don't think so because Art's parents were selling those boiled peanuts for long time.
Whatever the case, I make them, but without the star anise. Art is a purist when it comes to boiled peanuts. It's a better snack than cookies or chips, don't you think? Have you ever tried boiled peanuts? How do you like your peanuts prepared?
In Hawaii, they say boiled peanuts probably came from China where they cooked it with salt and star anise as well. The Chinese were one of the earliest groups to arrive in Hawaii to work in the sugar plantation fields.
Some people also wonder if Southern soldiers during WWII may have brought boiled peanuts to Hawaii. I don't think so because Art's parents were selling those boiled peanuts for long time.
Whatever the case, I make them, but without the star anise. Art is a purist when it comes to boiled peanuts. It's a better snack than cookies or chips, don't you think? Have you ever tried boiled peanuts? How do you like your peanuts prepared?
Kay, There so to be so many similar foods liked in Hawaii and India. We too pressure cook these with just salt , and then cool and then peel and eat them as a snack. Perfect for watching sports . Another way we eat them is after dry roasting them in their shells in a thick cast iron wok. That too tastes great ! Hurray for peanuts ! If you visit the beach, you will be accosted with vendors selling these; both the boiled and roasted varieties.
ReplyDeleteIt always surprises me that we eat many similar foods. I never thought of Indian food as similar to what we eat in Hawaii. This is so much fun!
DeleteI tried boiled peanuts once when I visited a friend who lived in southern Georgia. Maybe they're an acquired taste, but I d didn't care for them.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely an acquired taste!
DeleteI like them and remember having them often in China. I don't eat a lot of peanuts but I'm not sure why, since I like them well enough. Almonds and walnuts are my go-to nuts of choice. :-)
ReplyDeleteGeorge eats his in the shell. I like peanut butter. LOL Never a boiled peanut here.
ReplyDeleteAh, so that's what goober peas are. Umm, I think I'll stick with my almonds and walnuts instead.
ReplyDeleteI've never ate boiled peanuts but I love peanuts so I imagine they would be great!!!
ReplyDeleteMy childhood was in Florida where we ate peanuts raw, roasted, and boiled. I prefer them boiled in very salty water, but no other spices.
ReplyDeleteAh, I do love peanuts!, but have never had them boiled!! I'll have to try boiling my next sack full!! Hope you and Art and your Mom have a lovely weekend, Kay!!
ReplyDeleteI have eaten boiled peanuts but not often. I do know they are healthy but also high in calories. I never ate them when I lived in Hawaii, so this is news to me.
ReplyDeleteof interest to you perhaps........http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/BoiledPeanutsHistory.htm
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! This sounds like it'll be fun to read.
DeleteIn the early 50s when I was a child we lived in the Philippines (may have mentioned that before). That is the only way I knew to eat peanuts then. We grew them in the garden too. I can't remember when the last time I have had them. It's been years and years. Keep bringing back the memories.
ReplyDeleteNever tried them but I love peanut butter!
ReplyDeleteWith salt and star anise! Great for pupus!
ReplyDeleteYou too? Seems like everybody's taste here in Hawaii is now leaning toward the star anise flavor. Maybe we'll have to try it one more time.
DeleteI would like to try it
ReplyDeleteI tried boiled peanuts while in China but failed to understand why they were popular!
ReplyDeleteI love boiled peanuts! My brother-in-law encountered them in the service and always has them around for snacking.
ReplyDeletenever tried making these, maybe I should! I just buy unsalted peanuts at the grocery store.
ReplyDeleteThey are huge in the South. Maybe I got a bad batch but to me it was like eating salty grubs. Never again. .
ReplyDeleteI have seen them in the south but never tried them. Now Arkansas Patti has pretty much put off the idea so I probably never will.
ReplyDeleteI remember eating it and a tourist/new comer to Hawaii exclaimed, "Us Black people eat that too!" She was so thrilled and happy to have that connection and we munched on the snack together.
ReplyDeleteRuger Market used to have the best boiled peanuts - still warm from the pot and juicy. Nowadays, they are not served as fresh and not as juicy, but it still is a great snack.
Kay boiled salted peanuts are a popular snack here in Australia. I love them.
ReplyDeleteNo kidding? In Australia? Wow!
DeleteI can confirm that. At least once before you've written about boiled peanuts. I popped in a comment at that time.
DeleteThey're sold (to me anyway) by a travelling boiled peanut salesman (yes, niche job isn't it?) who turns up every blue moon and replenishes the stock. We keep them in the bar coolroom, usually sitting on beer kegs. Not sure this is a good idea.
Their popularity has been waning of recent years. Speculation as to why is pointless, but I'm inclined to think it is, above all else, because there hasn't been a travelling boiled peanut salesman visit my town for a long time.
I don't really eat peanuts
ReplyDeleteThe best boiled peanuts I ate were home made who shared some with me. Hoo da good, I think cuz the star anise was stronger. I've tried the supermarket ones (Times) and Longs sells them too (they use to be in an Igloo on a stand) but I find them more salty than tasty. I end up tossing them due to the saltiness. I know Jalna had made her own and bought her own large p-nuts. What is your recipe, I'm curious. BB
ReplyDeleteArt and I just can't seem to get used to the star anise flavor. I guess it's cause we were raised on the salt only peanuts.
DeleteI've never even heard of boiled peanuts. I really must get out in the world and learn a few things. So what are they like?
ReplyDeleteSomeone once told me they tasted like boiled potatoes. I don't think so.
DeleteBoiled peanuts are not a thing here in the northwest. I have to confess, I like Planters cocktail peanuts best, oil and salt and all.
ReplyDeleteInteresting Kay. Boiled peanuts are a favorite down south (Georgia, SC, Alabama) where they grow on farms.
ReplyDeleteI love to eat boiled peanuts. It is very common to eat them as snacks in my country. If I eat too much, I get a lot of gas. I know in USA, many people are allergic to peanuts but not here.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love boiled peanuts! Georgia is NUMBER ONE in growing peanuts, did you know? :-)
ReplyDeleteThe BEST boiled peanuts that I have ever had? Make by my Dad and from peanuts that he had grown himself.
Nothing better! x
I have heard of boiled peanuts before, many times. But, I have never had any. We prefer our peanuts roasted in the oven. Thanks for this interesting information about boiled peanuts, Kay. I’m just dropping in, saying hi and hello. I hope you have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteI heard about this snack from Jalna's blog. I have never tried it before but very curios.
ReplyDeleteI tried them for the first time this summer in South Carolina and if I didn't think of them as peanuts I quite liked them. We don't have them Up North.
ReplyDelete