Peanuts originated in South America and have been around for thousands of years. Peanuts are not a nut – they are a legume, related to beans, lentils, and peas.
They have a veined brown shell, or pod, that contains two or three peanut kernels. They have a hardy, buttery nut taste. The peanuts inside have a papery sheath that can be eaten or removed. The peanuts you purchase at your farmers' market are raw, so you will need to cook them either by boiling or roasting.
Peanuts are an excellent source of protein and dietary fiber. They also contain good amounts of copper and biotin, folate, vitamin B3, manganese, and heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
The Lowdown
Season
Summer
Color
Medium brown
Select
Pick up the peanut and shake it, looking for two signs of quality. First, it should feel heavy for its size. Secondly, it should not rattle since this suggests that the peanut kernels have dried out. The shells should be free from cracks and dark spots.
Store
Shelled peanuts should be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator (for about three months) or freezer (for up to six months) since excess exposure to heat, humidity or light will cause them to become rancid.
