Parched Peanuts, A Southern Favorite

It is peanut harvesting time down south and that means it is time to parch peanuts. This is one of the easiest treats to prepare. In fact it is so easy it is almost foolproof.  You can find recipes on the internet but his is the one I learned about 55 years ago from my Mama.  

Take 2 to 4 pounds of raw peanuts in the shell and spread them evenly on a large cookie sheet. Place them on the center oven rack, close the door and turn the oven to 400 degrees F.

Parched peanuts are a great treat anytime of the year. 

Prepare yourself a glass of iced tea and wait for the oven to reach 400 degrees. When it does turn the oven off. Don't open the oven door. Just let them parch unattended.

Take the opportunity to relax. Go take a seat in that rocking chair on your front porch and enjoy your glass of tea and the warm summer breeze. When you think the oven has had the time to cool and you know you can pick the cookie sheet up comfortably with your bare hand knowing you won't burn your fingers, remove the cookie sheet full of peatnuts from the oven and pour them in a large bowl. Enjoy cracking, shelling and  eating the country goodness of fresh parched peanuts.

Until next time...John.