As I was shelling peanuts this weekend, I was pondering whether it is a waste of time or a worthwhile practice in Slow Food. I normally buy roasted unsalted peanuts from the bulk section that are already shelled. Last time I was there, I happened to notice a bag of peanuts still in the shell - and notice that the price was 50% less per pound. I kicked myself for not seeing this sooner and threw a bag into the grocery cart. When I got home and announced my thrifty find (all proud of myself), my husband proceeded to tell me that it might not be saving us any money because of the actual amount of peanut per pound that you get after you have removed the shell. Blah, blah, blah. I wasn't interested in details like that. I just felt like I was doing the right thing, the Radical Homemaker, make-it-all-from-scratch, know how real food looks right thing. Well, 10 minutes later the pondering had started and 10 minutes after that I decided to call it a day. This is what I had to show for 20 peaceful minutes of shelling peanuts.
A scant 1 cup's worth of peanuts and plenty of shells for the compost. I don't know if Ruby was impressed or not. She was just hoping she'd have a chance to sample the hand shelled peanuts.
So, I'm not quite sure if it is worth it. If I actually grew the peanuts myself, then of course this wouldn't be a question. It would be part of the whole process and I would appreciate the uniqueness of each peanut. Most shells held two peanuts, but some only had one and I even found a triple! And it is nice for the little babe to know what peanuts actually look like - instead of just thinking they somehow magically grow in the bulk food bin. But, 20 minutes for less than a full cup? That doesn't make a lot of peanut butter and I (and the dogs) LOVE peanut butter. I eat my homemade peanut butter out of the jar with a spoon. If it has been a rough day, I also throw a couple dark chocolate baking bits in my mouth at the same time, which is way healthier than eating a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup.
Your thoughts? To shell or not to shell?
Shared on The Self Sufficient HomeAcre for the HomeAcre Hop.