Boiled peanuts have been a long time favorite in southern Florida, so much so that it’s become a tradition. You’d find these aromatic legumes being peddled in the street corners thru mini trucks, the famous weekend farmer’s markets and they’re even made in many home kitchens. Touring this unique region requires a lot of driving and having a warm bag of peanuts in the vehicle is something people are very accustomed to. It’s a great thing you can always have your refill in the many stops that you might take, which includes Naples and Everglades city, where you can find them sold the most.
Many of these smalls stands make sure they sell their peanuts fresh since many people love peanuts and can tell the new ones from the “soakers” or peanuts that have been boiled before but have been recycled or reboiled to be sold again. Sure, you can buy canned boiled peanuts in the supermarkets but these peanuts pale in comparison to the warmth and freshness of the ones that you see the steam going off it. The aroma has a nice earthy tang to it and the peanuts feel moist inside your mouth but at the same time firm after you peel them.
These raw, unroasted goodies boiled in salt water for a long time while they’re still in their shells is something you can easily overlook while staying here in the region but once you get a taste of them, you can immediately tell that cooking these is a long time practice that has been poured with love and care. Some even take as much as 12-14 hours to boil using some secret recipe that gives each crack a unique flavor that coats the insides of your mouth while leaving a mildly salty if not tangy aftertaste.
These warm tasty goodies are sold at $2 for a small cup and $5 for a bigger cup. There is even what’s called the Cajun peanuts which are a little bit spicy and great news for those who like a little kick in their snack. Boiled peanuts are a healthier option too. Compared to roasted peanuts, their boiled counterparts have four times the antioxidants, giving you a healthy boost after each cup. Restaurants who specialize in local dishes also offer boiled peanuts as a side dish for about 5 dollars for usually lunch and dinner.
Boiled peanuts are a simple snack yet they are delightful in their own right. There is something humble about them that remind people about the little joys in life that are sometimes usually drowned by the fast-paced environment we live in. There is a warm comfort from the puffy steam that rises out of every newly boiled peanuts and the subtle their subtle yet rich taste are always welcome. It takes people, and maybe even you to a much simpler time when a bag of peanuts on a long afternoon drive is something that can make your day complete. It’s a great thing there’s no shortage of this in souther
