Roasting Peanuts

[OldMcDonald]

I know there will be different opinions, especially from different US States, but you will all like the way you do it.

I am in Portugal and the most common way to get peanuts is already roasted. Sunflower oil is always used for this purpose and the taste of the oil is not good. We prefer them dry roasted anyway. Unroasted nuts are sometimes available and we have experimented a wee bit with oven temperatures and timing, but would like the opinion of those with more experience in doing it.

What temperature do you use, and for how long? Pre-heat the oven or time from cold?

Thanks in advance.

 

[fruitcakesa]

I put peanuts in the shell in a 375* oven for 20 minutes no oil, dry roast

 

[txdon]

I found no specific time for each batch but between 30-45 minutes at 350-400 F.
The age and size of the peanut are the determining factors. You just have to go by smell and taste to determine when they are done.
Excellent question.

 

[Bird]

If you are talking about roasting peanuts in the shell, I have no experience, so couldn't help. If you are talking about roasting raw shelled peanuts, I've had LOTS of experience, but not in the last 15 years or so. I buy Planter's peanuts now, but I used to buy 100 to 400 pounds of raw shelled peanuts each Fall, put them in ziplock bags, 2 pounds per bag, and put them in the freezer. So I got out and roasted 2 pounds at a time. Of course I started roasting them spread on a big cookie sheet in the oven before we ever got our first microwave, learned from my mother, but it was so long ago that I don't remember how long or what oven temperature we used. But when we got a microwave oven, I put 2 pounds of peanuts in a large glass bowl in the microwave for 3 minutes, stirred them, back in the microwave for 2.5 minutes, stirred again, 2 minutes, stirred again 1.5 minutes, stirred again, one minute, stirred, a half a minute, then stirred in a quarter pound of butter, and enjoyed. I used to keep a can of those home roasted peanuts in my desk at work. I guess I've been a peanut addict since I was 16 or younger.

 

[txdon]

Good catch Bird, I was assuming roasting them in the shell.

 

[kthompson]

OldMcDonald, you are right on difference in states..here our preferred way is eating them "boiled" in the shell. Boiled peanuts is one of my favorite foods and boiled the skin remains on the nuts, had to quit eating them for that reason. Another different way us locals like roasted peanuts is take a bottled soft drink like Pepsi or Coke and not in a can for you need a funnel out on the drink pour the peanuts in there. The two flavors will mix different than eating the nut and then a sip of the cola. Oh the boiled peanuts are also very popular in some other areas of our country such as the Smokey Mountains.

 

[OldMcDonald]

Thanks for the replies. I should have specified shelled raw nuts. My bad.

We can buy them already roasted dry in the shell, but then have to take the shells off and we only eat them as the last course of dinner every night, so like them already shelled. Dinner is always main course; cheese/biscuits/butter and fresh/dried fruit with the compulsory Port; maybe some small savouries next, maybe not; and finish with various nuts. I like the Portuguese Moscatel with the nuts but my wife sticks with Port. We grow almonds and have grown peanuts but the season is really too short so buy them. Also have Brazil nuts at times and hazelnuts. We want to retire (to the Azores) and would be able to grow peanuts there.

It sounds as if we have not been using a high enough temperature. We work in Centigrade, but converting to Fahrenheit it would be 300 to 320. We like them hot from the oven and they are always a bit soft at those temperatures but were not game to try higher. They are a lot firmer and more crunchy the next night, but cold. I will get my wife to go up to say 350. I doubt she will be willing to go to 400 straight off, but she is always willing to experiment with anything to do with food and wine.

The microwave idea sounds good too, but since we are eating whilst the nuts are cooking, it is not really convenient. No disrespect to folks who do it, but we have tried them boiled a small number of times and do not care for them that way. Never ever try something just once, you might be having an "off" day, or the other food does not complement what you are trying. There are some Scotch whiskies I do not like, so it all comes down to personal taste.

Again, many thanks for your responses. I have always found that if you ask a reasonable question on this part of the site you always get at least a few good answers.

 

[Bird]

We all know there are different tastes in different places and/or with different people, but only in recent years have I seen boiled peanuts in the grocery stores. So I bought some (twice) to try to give them a good sampling. I never thought a peanut could be ruined, but I still cannot imagine anyone liking them boiled. Horrible stuff to me. The two times I bought some, I was only able to eat less than a handful, before throwing them in the garbage can.

 

[OldMcDonald]

Bird, I rather like your straight talking. Being a froeigner, I was not game to put it so bluntly, so restricted myself to saying "we did not care for them that way".

 

[morris lipham]

If you are talking about roasting peanuts in the shell, I have no experience, so couldn't help. If you are talking about roasting raw shelled peanuts, I've had LOTS of experience, but not in the last 15 years or so. I buy Planter's peanuts now, but I used to buy 100 to 400 pounds of raw shelled peanuts each Fall, put them in ziplock bags, 2 pounds per bag, and put them in the freezer. So I got out and roasted 2 pounds at a time. Of course I started roasting them spread on a big cookie sheet in the oven before we ever got our first microwave, learned from my mother, but it was so long ago that I don't remember how long or what oven temperature we used. But when we got a microwave oven, I put 2 pounds of peanuts in a large glass bowl in the microwave for 3 minutes, stirred them, back in the microwave for 2.5 minutes, stirred again, 2 minutes, stirred again 1.5 minutes, stirred again, one minute, stirred, a half a minute, then stirred in a quarter pound of butter, and enjoyed. I used to keep a can of those home roasted peanuts in my desk at work. I guess I've been a peanut addict since I was 16 or younger.

I put a paper plate with a layer of dry peanuts in microwave for 2 minutes.

 

[3Ts]

I like peanuts as well, dry roasted, salted, toffee, coconut, and many other combinations. However, I can not stand boiled peanuts, they taste like mushy potatoes.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

We all know there are different tastes in different places and/or with different people, but only in recent years have I seen boiled peanuts in the grocery stores. So I bought some (twice) to try to give them a good sampling. I never thought a peanut could be ruined, but I still cannot imagine anyone liking them boiled. Horrible stuff to me. The two times I bought some, I was only able to eat less than a handful, before throwing them in the garbage can.

Same here. Stopped for gas in South Carolina; the little 7-11 type store had some for sale, and they gave me a sample. That was enough for me. I cannot criticize any one who like them, but they were not to my liking. What I really love is roasted and salted pecans. Expensive, but they are they best in my opinion. Since I'm not supposed to eat chocolate, I discovered white chocolate covered roasted pecans. About the same price per pound as rib eye steak, but yummy!

 

[Bird]

What I really love is roasted and salted pecans. Expensive, but they are they best in my opinion.

Yep, I'd sure have to agree with you on that. This also reminds me of when we first moved to Healdton, OK, when I was 10 years old. The place Dad rented to start with had a lot of good pecan trees. And one night, shortly after most of the pecans had fallen, a fire started at the old airport just west of us. And it moved fast. We, and the volunteer firemen, fought hard to save our house, barn, chicken house, etc., but it burned off most of the pasture under those pecan trees, so the pecans were not deemed fit to sell. But I'll never forget how much I enjoyed eating those pecans roasted in the shell. Of course now I occasionally buy raw shelled pecans at Sam's Club and roast them myself in the microwave.

 

[kthompson]

Oh, no hurt feelings here by those who don't like boiled peanuts. I was surprised to hear Dr. Robert Schuller from the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County describing his experience with boiled peanuts. Sadly don't remember if he liked them or not but he described how the bag falls apart due to them being wet very accurately. But if you don't like boiled peanuts you do like grits I hope.

But boiled peanuts are like any other food, some just will not like them and that is fine and some people don't know how to cook them. Mushy they should not be, should still be firm. Not raw but sort of like stir fry vegetables. And salted just right.

Old McDonald, what is port?

On Pecans, if you want them another special way make pecan brittle. Best brittle I have ever had. My wife use to make it.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Here's Sharn Jean's recipe for Peanut brittle; it's the best! Something about the electric skillet. Don't see why you couldn't make cashew and pecan brittle the same way.

Peanut Brittle

1 cup white Karo syrup

1 cup sugar

1 and 1/2 cups raw peanuts

dash of salt

1 and 1/2 tsp. baking soda

Combine syrup, sugar, salt and raw peanuts. Pour into electric skillet and cook

until it turns caramel color (about 350 degrees). Turn off heat and add baking

soda, stir slightly. Pour onto buttered foil and let it spread by itself. Cool and

break into pieces.

 

[dmccarty]

I love peanuts. Even boiled peanuts. :shocked::laughing:

I have fond memories of my dad and I, when driving through Georgia, seeing a sign for boiled peanuts, getting off the Interstate and driving for far too long to get a bag of boiled peanuts. Then eating out of that bag for hours as we drove on down the road.

Years later, my cousins and I would get boiled peanuts and go for a ride. :laughing: One of the kids loves boiled peanuts and used to eat a can a day. Another of the kids hates boiled peanuts. :confused3::laughing:

Now, boiled okra is some real nasty stuff! :shocked::laughing::laughing::laughing:

Later,
Dan

 

[Bird]

But if you don't like boiled peanuts you do like grits I hope.

Yes, I do.:laughing:

Now, boiled okra is some real nasty stuff!

Now my wife wants no part of okra, except fried, so that's all we've had for years. However, I do like oiled okra myself.:laughing:

 

[tomplum]

FWIW if I get a bag of nuts that are dry, no salt - in general needs help. I empty the nuts in a bowl and add just enough dark toasted sesame oil to coat, some salt and dash or two of Cayenne. Pop them in the oven for 10 minutes to wake them up and let them cool on the sheet. Good peanuts have been scarce by me.

 

[TomIre]

Boiled peanuts are a favorite of mine. Very specific to certain southern U.S. states. Next best is oven roasted in the shell. Call that way parched. I'll parched a pound of two of peanuts and happily watch my Georgia Bulldogs whip some a** on Saturday afternoon while shelling, munching and sipping cold beer!

 

[OldMcDonald]

Old McDonald, what is port?

This article from one of the Port houses (always use a capital P for Port) tells it as well as anything https://www.taylor.pt/en/what-is-port-wine/introduction-to-port

Obviously you have never tried it if you do not know what it is. You should. I suggest a Ruby with a good strong cheese after the main course of a meal. Or, with peanuts.