Food, cooking, eating, and me

Boiled nuts help protect against illness

A research study has shown that boiled peanuts are much better for you than roasted or raw ones. Their “phytochemicals have antioxidant qualities that protect cells against the risk of degenerative diseases, including cancers, diabetes and heart disease.” For some reason boiling them makes more of these chemicals available to the body.

Back when I used to drive down to Florida every year, I would stop at roadside stands and buy containers of freshly boiled peanuts. Most Northerners have never tried them. You can’t even buy raw peanuts in the shell up here, as you can down South.

But don’t put them into the “Ew!” category. Shelled raw peanuts are readily available, and they make a great addition to soups and veggie stews. Also, if you blend them with some water until smooth, they make a creamy thickener that can take the place of dairy and flour, for a filling vegan “cream” soup.

The only drawback is, yes, the allergy thing. But if you’re not allergic, go ahead and try them out. I’ll come up with a recipe or two soon.