A Southern favorite

 2 cups peanuts, raw and in the shell

4 cups water

1½ teaspoons salt (some people like them much saltier)

Put the peanuts, in their shells, into a saucepan, add the water and salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a good simmer and cook approximately 25 minutes. Time will vary depending upon the size and freshness of the peanuts. When done, the kernel should have swollen to fill the pod well and the taste of raw starch will have been dissipated. The peanut will remain slightly chewy. Serve hot still in the shell, or cold after draining.

Some people add packaged "Cajun seasoning mix," or similar flavorings.

 Reprinted here with permission of Wayne Keyser From the CDRom "On the Midway"