Summer Harvest

Around this time of year, right on the border between summer and winter, in the Southern U.S. of A., any rural road you choose will lead to a patchwork stand of some kind, usually consisting of a tarp, the back of a pick-up truck, or a card table, from which you can buy you a bag of Hot Boiled Peanuts (spelling optional). Scooped out of a huge boiler and ladled into a crinkly brown paper bag at a dollar or so per, you simply would not believe how much better a bag of these little treats could make a car ride.

“Goober nuts” are only properly served shell-on, so when you stick them into your mouth, the hot, salty brine dribbles out as the shell parts and the nuts emerge full of sweet and salty goodness. If it sounds weird to you, it’s ’cause the only salted, boiled legume you’re probably used to is edamame– boiled soy beans; these taste almost entirely, but not quite exactly, unlike hot boiled peanuts.

Along with thunderstorms, it’s one of the only things I miss about North Florida enough to be nostalgic about it. I might have to make me a batch. You simply can’t find them in Seattle (can’t really find any good grits, either, but that’s another story). The question is, how readily available are raw peanuts outside of the Southeast? And, when will I have a solid 6 to 8 hours to keep a boil on? I’ll have to check into this and report back with an answer.

What are some regional delights that your area features, or for which you’re nostalgic?