Arachis hypogaea - Peanuts

Peanuts are the seeds of the peanut, an annual herbaceous plant that grows to a height of 50 cm (20in). They are contained in pods with a wrinkled beige skin. The flowers of the peanut have the particularity of burying themselves in the soil after fertilization to form the pods.

Peanuts are cultivated for their seeds, or as ornamental plants. They are an annual herbaceous plant, 50 cm (20in) tall, that produces orange-yellow flowers from May to July. The pollinated flowers have the particularity of burying themselves in the soil after fertilisation to form the fruits. Indeed, stalks carrying ovaries, called gynophores, will develop and bend to bury themselves a few centimetres underground. These are indeed fruits, even though they are harvested like tubers. The pods containing the peanuts are located 3 to 5 cm (1 to 2in) underground.

Originally from Mexico, peanuts thrive in warm climates. They are an oilseed plant, cultivated in large quantities to produce peanut oil. In the vegetable garden, they are grown in open ground in regions with hot summers, or in pots for cooler regions.

Fresh peanuts can be boiled in water or roasted in a pan or oven. They can also be ground to make peanut butter, which can be used in savoury or sweet recipes. Peanuts are rich in trace elements, but their consumption can sometimes cause allergies.

Harvesting: peanuts are harvested at the end of summer, from August to early October, when the foliage turns yellow. The pods should be brown and wrinkled. Dig up the entire plant and harvest the pods. Let them dry in the sun or, if the weather doesn't allow it, place them in a hot oven for about ten minutes without shelling them.

Storage: pods can be stored for 3 to 4 months in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Once roasted and salted, they can be stored for 2 to 3 months in a dark and dry place.

Gardener's tip: Peanuts belong to the Fabaceae family, like beans, peas, and lentils. Grow this legume as a green manure to enrich the soil with nitrogen.