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National Boiled Peanuts Day

Food · February 21

A day for boiled peanuts, the soft, salty Southern snack simmered in the shell and sold from roadside stands and gas station crockpots.

National Boiled Peanuts Day falls on Sunday, February 21, 2027. That is 117 days away.

Boiled peanuts are raw or green peanuts cooked in their shells in heavily salted water until the inside turns soft. The result is closer to a cooked bean than to the crunchy peanut most people know.

You eat them with your hands. Crack the damp shell, slurp a little of the brine, and pop out the tender peanuts. It gets messy, which is part of the arrangement. Most fans keep a second cup or bag nearby for empty shells.

In much of the American South, boiled peanuts are a roadside food. Hand-lettered signs point to stands with steaming pots, and some gas stations keep a slow cooker of them by the register. Batches simmer for hours, and the longer they cook, the softer they get. Some cooks add Cajun seasoning, hot peppers or other spices to the pot.

Green peanuts, the freshly harvested kind that have not been dried, make the softest boiled peanuts. Dried raw peanuts work too, though they need soaking and a longer simmer. Roasted peanuts will not soften the same way, so they are the wrong choice for the pot.

The flavor surprises first-timers. It is earthy, salty and a little savory, with a texture some compare to edamame. People tend to love it immediately or need a second handful to decide. Leftovers keep in the fridge and taste good cold, still a little salty from the brine.

Ways to celebrate

• Look for a roadside stand or market selling hot boiled peanuts.
• Try simmering raw peanuts in salted water at home.
• Add Cajun seasoning or hot peppers to a batch.
• Share a bag with someone who has never tried them.

Dates

All national days on February 21

Also on February 21

• National Sticky Bun Day
• National Grain-Free Day

Categories: Food days