Ingredient of the Month: Peanuts

This Ingredient of the Month is a humble one, but I’ve always been appreciative of its taste and butter.

I’m talking about peanuts!

Although I used to just be enamored by peanut butter (on sandwiches and on wheat crackers sandwiches together), I’ve recently come to rely on the humble peanut as a great protein-packed snack.

Tell me more about peanuts:

Peanuts are actually part of the legume family, grown for their edible seeds (or what we refer to as peanuts) inside a grooved casing. Peanuts grow underground, and they’re the most popular nut choice in America (with 67% of all nut consumption). They are a good source of protein, as well as other nutrients and vitamins.

Where can I buy peanuts:

You can get peanuts at any grocery store, or maybe you live in a place where people are selling them boiled or roasted on the side of the road. There are many types of peanuts (boiled, raw, dry roasted, roasted with salt, roasted with other flavors), so just choose which one fits you best or try them all!

How do I store peanuts:

Like other nuts, peanuts should be stored in their original container in your cool, dark pantry.

How do I cook with peanuts:

Here’s where it gets fun, folks! Although peanuts are awesome for adding to trail mix or just pouring into your palm and throwing into your mouth for a quick snack, there are tons of cooking uses.

Cuisines like Thai and African rely on peanuts for extra flavor, so that’s a great place to start with peanuts and/or peanut butter!