Homemade holiday gifts and dishes that are simple, delicious and feature peanuts and peanut butter!
{Disclosure: Deanna and I attended the #PeanutHarvest tour and our travel expenses were reimbursed by the National Peanut Board. I was not asked to write this post. We are long time peanut lovers – as evident by the 20+ peanut recipes found in our Recipe Index!}
This year, we’re popping a Santa hat on Mr. Peanut.
Around my house, peanut butter is an everyday energy source. A spoonful around 10am, another to top off lunch, and maybe a few more. My 3 year old will grow up learning that by-the-spoonful is an appropriate way to eat peanut butter – for moms and kids. But my #NoShame spoonful is backed up by good nutrition – including #PeanutPower protein.
And after visiting the beautiful Hope & Harmony peanut farm near Richmond, Virginia this fall on the Peanut Harvest tour, Deanna and I learned lots of other interesting peanut facts from the peanut farmers Jeffery and Stephanie Pope and the National Peanut Board:
Peanut Facts
- There are 540 peanuts in a 12 ounce jar of peanut butter.
- Peanuts are not tree nuts. But we still call them ‘nuts’ – probably (my own thought) because they have a similar nutrition profile to tree nuts.
- Peanuts grow shells or ‘pods’ underground that are part of the root system of the peanut vine. That’s why they are considered part of the legume family.
Peanut Nutrition
- Peanuts have more protein than any other nut: 7 grams of protein per serving + 29 other vitamins and minerals.
- There are about 40 peanuts in a 1 ounce serving.
- Nutrients in peanuts including fiber, vitamin E and magnesium have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.
- 64% of children surveyed said they’d eat more fruits and vegetables when served with their favorite peanut butter dip.
- Peanuts and peanut butter have a low glycemic index, which means they don’t cause blood sugar to rise sharply – and can be helpful to people managing diabetes.
Sustainable Farming
- Peanut farmers use a variety of crop rotation systems to cut way down on the amount of fertilizers used; we saw cotton growing in this rotation.
- Peanuts are a naturally sustainable crop. They release nitrogen into the ground to help support soil health.
- After harvest, peanut vines are used for high-protein cattle feed or as compost.
- Peanut shells are used in landscaping and to make biodiesel.
- The average US peanut farm is family-owned and is about 180 acres.
- You can even grow your own peanut plant. (I’m going to try with my kids.)
But beyond peanut brittle, the peanut doesn’t seem to get much respect around the holidays; it just doesn’t seem to be on the short list of ‘fancy nuts.’ So, this year we are sharing our Favorite Peanut Holiday Recipes from fellow bloggers who also attended the Peanut Harvest tour with us.
Foodie Gifts:
Popcorn Peanut Butter Crunch
Homemade Sea Salt Peanut Butter Cups via Carlene @Healthyfully Ever After
Chocolate Peanut Clusters via Meme @Living Well Kitchen
Warm Chocolate Peanut Butter Sauce via Marisa @Marisa Moore Nutrition (Marisa made it as a dip – but we love it as a sauce over yogurt and fruit.)
Chocolate Peanut Butter Hemp Heart Bites via Kara @Foodie Dietitian
Smart Trail Mix via Kathy @Triad to Wellness
Hope and Harmony Peanuts direct from the farm! Sold under the Royal Oak Brand; I’ll be getting my friends the Holiday Gift Pack
Christmas Morning:
Peanut Butter & Strawberry Jelly Bread
Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal Breakfast Pie via Lauren @Nutrition Starring You
Peanut Butter Granola
Peanutty Banana Muffins via Amber @StirList
Special Occasion Desserts: (or with a cuppa Homemade Hot Cocoa with a spoonful of peanut butter stirred in!)
Chocolate Peanut Butter Heart Cookies
Peanut Butter Raspberry Snack Squares via Lauren @Nutrition Starring You
No-Bake Blueberry Oatmeal Bars via Amber @StirList
Peanut Butter Sandwich Graham Crackers
Peanut Butter Gingerbread
18 Favorite Peanut Holiday Recipes via @TspCurry @TspBasil #sponsoredtravel Click To TweetFact: Peanuts are a part of a variety of world cuisines, including West African, Asian and South American. So… add some ethnic flair to your holiday spread:
Spicy Peanut Tofu and Bok Choy Rice Bowl via Kara @Foodie Dietitian
Wonton Chips with Asian Inspired Hummus via Amber@StirList
African Peanut Stew with Quinoa – This is one of our all-time most popular posts!
So besides straight-out-of-the-jar, what’s your favorite way to eat peanut butter? Do you think of peanuts during the holidays?
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
Wednesday 25th of November 2015
oh how i love peanuts and peanut butter (especially peanut butter!). Already pinned to my PB lovers board!
Serena Ball
Thursday 26th of November 2015
Thanks Jessica! Gotta check out your board!
Kara @ The Foodie Dietitian
Tuesday 24th of November 2015
I LOVE this round-up!! It was so great spending time with you both on this tour!! #peanutfriends4life
Sherry @PeanutRD
Tuesday 1st of December 2015
That's the best hashtag ever! #peanutfriend4life
Serena Ball
Thursday 26th of November 2015
Love your brilliant hashtag fellow #peanutfriend4life ! (: Happy Thanksgiving!
Robin @Robinsbite
Tuesday 24th of November 2015
You guys aren't lying---you LOVE peanuts!! :) Happy Thanksgiving!
Serena Ball
Thursday 26th of November 2015
Yup that's #PeanutPower for you. Powerful good stuff! Happy Turkey Day to you and your fam too!
Ann Dunaway Teh
Tuesday 24th of November 2015
Peanuts and I have not always been friends though I'll now eat peanuts without any problem - peanut butter is still hit or miss. I've been working on getting over my aversion for years. There are some great recipes here to help me!
Serena Ball
Thursday 26th of November 2015
OK, true story: I didn't really like PB as a kid either. What kid of weird kid doesn't like PB? Me! My family only used it on pancakes and I just didn't really like PB + Maple. I really like it now best by the spoonful - or my fave is spread on sweet potatoes, ie, not too sweet.
Dietitian Jess
Tuesday 24th of November 2015
Lots of great recipes to sort through! And great information, thanks for sharing!
Serena Ball
Thursday 26th of November 2015
Thanks Jess! The peanut farmers said the #1 question they get asked is: How do peanuts grow? OR What type of tree to peanuts grow on? So I love this graphic of the plant. Pretty cool plant! High protein + helps replenish the soil.