Groundnuts are everywhere. Also known as peanuts for some reason. Groundnuts are much more logical name. I wouldn’t have guessed peanuts were from the ground at all. I’d have thought them to be something to do with peas! They’re all in their shells, and they are often seen in huge piles on the earthy ground, drying in the sun, with a watchful eye on the rain clouds above. Or they’re in huge washing up bowls (a variety of colours, most likely to be Chinese in origin), on top of people’s heads. As it’s the school holidays, many children do the carrying.
They’re often seen being eaten by everyone. I think there’s a particular 'cool way' of eating them that I haven’t quite cracked yet (haha). I often see young kids standing on the road side, avoiding the motorbikes, holding up a groundnut to their mouth, cracking it open, eating the nut and spitting the shell on the floor, all in a nice quick smooth movement. You end up seeing the shells everywhere.
I fumble with the little nut, trying to crack open the shell to the nut. I either shake the nuts out into my other palm, or pick them out if they’re stubborn. Certainly a two-handed job for me.
They taste so different too! You can get them fresh. The shell smells (and tastes) like soil, and the nut somehow cool, very crunchy and very ‘planty’. Or you can get them boiled. You get a bit of the water with the nut, a bit softer, and juicier and more peanut tasting.
Groundnuts are also included in most dishes. They tend to be ground up into a paste, dryer than peanut butter, smells the same, not as sweet though, and crumblier. It’s stirred into all the sauces and soups – fantastic!
I’ll be adding them to the pumpkin soup I’ll be making in a bit ☺
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