Everyone in the US loves peanuts as a snack and in food, especially in the South. But when exactly are peanuts in season? While many crops can be grown all year, peanuts have a set growing and harvest season that affects when they are available and when they taste their best.
Understanding Peanut Seasonality
The peanut growing season spans late spring through early fall in most peanut-producing regions Peanuts require warm soil temperatures between 65-70°F to germinate, so they are planted in April or May The plants take 120-140 days to fully mature and produce peanuts underground. This growth timeline means that peanut harvesting occurs in the fall when cooler temperatures halt maturation.
Specifically, peanuts are harvested from September through November in the main peanut-growing states like Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, North Carolina, South Carolina, New Mexico, and Virginia. So autumn is peak peanut season in the U.S.
During the fall harvest, farmers dig up the entire peanut plant, pick off the peanuts, and dry them for 1-2 weeks before sending them to be roasted or shelled. Only at this stage of maturity in the fall are the peanuts ready for eating.
Availability of Fresh-Picked Peanuts
The fall harvest is the best time to get peanuts that are very fresh. Before they are dried and roasted, these peanuts that have just been dug up are called “green peanuts.” When compared to peanuts eaten later in the year, green peanuts taste and feel more grassy and vegetal.
In the South, green peanuts are often sold at farmers markets and roadside stands in September and October. During the fall harvest, you may also be able to find them at some specialty grocery stores. For the best flavor, eat green peanuts boiled or roasted as soon as possible after you pick them.
Buying Shelled and Roasted Peanuts
Thanks to drying and processing techniques, we can enjoy peanuts year-round once their shells are removed. Shelled roasted peanuts will last for months in the pantry. However, for the very best flavor and crunch, look for peanuts labeled with the current year’s harvest date when buying jarred or canned varieties.
The same goes for roasted peanuts still in the shell. Try to find freshly roasted peanuts from local farms during autumn harvest for a real seasonal treat. Or choose in-shell peanuts marked with a harvest date from the past couple months for optimal taste and quality when buying from the grocery store during other times of year.
Growing Peanuts at Home
People who live in warm places can even grow their own peanuts! In April or May, plant the seeds 1-2 inches deep, and give them 120 days to grow underground. In early fall, when the leaves start to turn yellow, you should pick the plants. Peanuts that you dig yourself are a fun and educational garden crop to try.
Enjoy Peanuts at Their Seasonal Best
While peanut products are available year-round, there’s nothing quite like enjoying peanuts fresh off the farm during peak harvest season. Boiled green peanuts and roasted in-shell peanuts celebrate the quintessential flavors of fall. Seek out local fresh peanut options at farms and markets or look for current season labeling to experience peanuts at their seasonal best.
Sweet Candied Peanut Treats
- 3 cups white granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups water
- 6 cups raw peanuts
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Spray baking spray on a baking sheet or pan and set it aside.
- Put sugar and water in a large saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat until the sugar melts and there are no more sugar crystals to be seen.
- Add peanuts, vanilla, and cinnamon.
- Keep cooking and stirring often until the peanuts are covered in sugar and there is no more liquid on the bottom of the pan when you stir.
- Remove from heat and place onto prepared baking sheet. As much as possible, spread the peanuts out in a straight line.
- Place in a preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring at least once. Take it out of the oven and stir it around to make sure no peanuts are stuck to it. Set aside to cool.
- Once completely cooled, store in airtight containers or baggies.
(It does take a bit to shell a bunch of boiled peanuts)
- 1 cup shelled boiled peanuts
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1½ teaspoons hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh garlic
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- Olive oil
- Pepper
- Garnish: fresh cilantro sprigs
- Process peanuts, water, cilantro, lime juice, 2 Tbsp. put peanut butter, hot sauce, garlic, cumin, olive oil, and pulse until smooth. Sprinkle with pepper.
- Serve with any fresh vegetables or crackers. Garnish with fresh cilantro sprigs.
- I cup shelled boiled peanuts
- 2 small cucumber, peeled and cubed
- 1 medium tomato, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons mint finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons coriander leaves, finely chopped
- Juice of half a lemon
- ¼ teaspoon red chili pepper
- 1 teaspoon of chaat masala or curry powder
- Salt to taste
- Cut up all the vegetables and take off any stems, skins, or seeds.
- Everything goes into a big bowl, and you toss it around until everything is well mixed and seasoned.
- Leave it alone for 15 minutes or put it in the fridge for 30 minutes to let the flavors mix before you serve. Enjoy!.
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What Are Boiled Peanuts?
Boiled peanuts are just raw peanuts that have been boiled in salted water for hours. Great with beer or a cold soda, these salty soft peanuts are totally addictive!.
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A little messy too, given that the shells absorb some of the water which can squirt out at you when you bite into them to get the nut out. People usually eat them outside where you can toss the shells and not worry about the salt water dribbles.
What it takes to farm peanuts | Georgia Peanuts
FAQ
When can you buy fresh peanuts?
Fresh Peanuts are available year-round, with a peak season in the late summer and early fall months.
Why do southerners boil peanuts?
Many believe that peanut boiling started during the Civil War when Confederate soldiers would roast or boil and salt peanuts to preserve the high-protein snack. We know that Black folks were boiling peanuts long before the Civil War.
What’s the difference between green peanuts and regular peanuts?
A green peanut is a freshly dug peanut that contains about 45-50 percent moisture whereas a raw peanut has been air dried after digging and is only about 10 …Sep 28, 2018.
In which season do we eat peanuts?
Peanuts are loaded with protein and have several health benefits. Read on to know why you should have these nuts during the winter season. Adding peanuts to your winter diet can be beneficial for your health. As winter sets in, we should introduce certain foods in our diet to stay healthy.
When is green peanut season?
Green peanut season usually lasts from the end of July to late November. Although they are only available for a short time each year, green peanuts are fresh and delicious!. Boiled peanuts have been a staple of Southern cuisine since the 1800s.
When are green peanuts harvested?
The peanuts are picked off the plants in the fall and dried for one to two weeks before being sent to be shelled and roasted. So peanut harvesting occurs in the fall, but the growing season spans late spring through fall. When Are Green Peanuts Available?.
Can you eat green peanuts all year?
While raw peanuts can be eaten year-round, green peanuts are only available during a specific season. Green peanut season usually lasts from the end of July to late November. Although they are only available for a short time each year, green peanuts are fresh and delicious!.
When are green peanuts available?
They have a shorter shelf life and have to be cooked soon after picking. Green peanuts are available only during peak harvest season, generally late August through November. If you live in the Southern U. S. , look for local stands and farmers markets selling green peanuts in the fall.
When do Peanuts grow?
Peanuts are usually planted in April or May so that the plants have time to flower above ground and produce peanuts below ground before fall. Below is a general timeline of the peanut growth stages: Summer – The plants grow up to 18 inches tall. Underground, the peanuts begin developing in pods attached to the roots.
Can you eat peanuts during peak harvest season?
While peanut butter, candies, and roasted nut mixes allow us to enjoy peanuts any time of year, there’s nothing quite like savoring peanuts during peak harvest season. Keep an eye out for fresh green peanuts or newly harvested roasted peanuts in the fall months.