Growing up in Georgia, a paper bag filled with boiled peanuts and purchased for pennies from a farmer at a roadside shack was the snack of choice when out driving around in the country. As uncommonly tasty as they were, as an adult I’ve realised they’re a cinche to make … as long as you’ve got the time to let ‘em simmer properly. The secret is in how you season your nuts. What about doing it with some root beer for added bite?
It might seem strange to the uninitiated, but boiled peanuts (or bult peanuts as folks back in Georgia call them) are a total treat. Very messy, but oh so good. Usually, the only seasoning used when cooking them is salt, maybe some cayenne or Cajun seasoning in some cases. But whatever floats your palate’s boat can be added.
So why did I cook my peanuts in root beer? Well, root beer definitely floats my boat, and peanuts have always been one of my favourite snacks. Besides, serving peanuts alongside a glass of root beer wouldn’t be all that weird, would it? So why shouldn’t I find a way to enjoy them both as a combo? All the seasoning you need – minus some salt – is handily there in a can or bottle. And if there’s not a lot of gunky ingredients in your chosen brew, it’s can be a pretty healthy if slightly indulgent way to kill the munchies.
Results using all natural Soda Folk root beer were a total success.
ROOT BEER BOILED PEANUTS Yum
Ingredients
- 350g peanuts in the shell;
- 2 330ml cans of root beer (any’ll do but might I recommend Soda Folk root beer?);
- 50-75g table salt;
- 2 pints of water.
Method
Simply put all the ingredients in a lidded pot and bring to a boil and let simmer for at least two hours, preferably three hours or more. After an hour or so, have a taste. Too salty? Dilute with water. Not salty enough? Add salt. Strain before serving.
Serve
Eat your boiled peanuts while they’re warm and wet; just be sure to have plenty of napkins on hand and somewhere to throw all your excess shells.
Soda Folk
I’ve teamed up with Soda Folk, an American craft soda maker supplying the UK, for Root Beer Reboot, a short series of posts exploring some of my all time favourite American foods and flavours. Stay tuned for more posts from me and find out more about Soda Folk at sodafolk.co.uk.
