CONTEST SNACKS: Southern Boiled Peanuts

SOUTHERN BOILED PEANUTS
By BumbleBeeBoogie

4 cups peanuts, raw and in the shell
6 cups water
5 teaspoons salt
Optional Additions:
3 pickled Jalapeno peppers,

or

1 teaspoon crushed pepper flakes,
or

1 whole garlic bulb, unpeeled*,

or
1 tablespoon bottled soy sauce,

or
1 teaspoon bottled Tobasco sauce

Put the peanuts, in their shells, into a lot pot; add the water
and salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a good simmer
and cook approximately 25 to 45 minutes. Time will vary depending upon
the size and freshness of the peanuts. The peanuts may also be cooked in a crock pot according to the directions for your appliance.

When done, the peanut kernels should have swollen to fill the pod well and the taste of raw starch dissipated. The peanut will remain slightly chewy. Serve hot still in the shell, or cold after draining.

*If using the garlic bulb, save the cooked bulb to squeeze out the garlic pulp for use in other dishes.