What Southern snack consists of peanuts boiled in salty water?

What Southern snack consists of peanuts boiled in salty water? Boiled peanuts. The snack is made by simmering raw or freshly harvested green peanuts in heavily salted water until the shells and nuts become soft.

Unlike roasted peanuts, boiled peanuts are usually cooked in their shells and have a moist, tender texture that can resemble a bean or pea. Green peanuts are especially prized because they have not been dehydrated; dried raw peanuts generally need to be soaked before boiling. Cooking can take four to seven hours or longer, depending on the peanuts and the quantity.

In the Southern United States, boiled peanuts are commonly sold at roadside stands, markets, and festivals. They are particularly associated with the lower South, including the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Spiced versions may include Cajun seasoning, hot sauce, Old Bay, or beer.

The tradition likely reflects West African foodways carried by enslaved people. The snack was known as “goober peas” and became a social food during the summer peanut harvest. South Carolina designated boiled peanuts its official state snack food in 2006.