March celebrates one of America’s favorite snack foods…Peanuts! National Peanut Month had its beginnings as National Peanut Week in 1941, but later morphed into a month-long celebration in 1974. And why not celebrate this versatile food? Whether it’s the smell of their roasted goodness, the grinding of their essence into peanut butter or just being used to make healthier cooking oil, peanuts have found their way into many of the food items we consume regularly.

Boiled, roasted, honey roasted, in a stir fry or as a honey roasted snack with a Pepsi, it clear that these small treasures pack a lot of flavor. Try something new and don’t forget other days to explore the flavors.

Explore more….

• Peanut Butter Lovers Month
• Peanut Butter Cookies
• National Peanut Day
• Chocolate Peanut Clusters
• National Peanut Brittle Day
• National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
• National Peanut Month
• National Peanut Butter Day
• National Peanut Butter Fudge Day
• National Ants On A Log Day
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
• Peanut Butter Haystacks
• National Fluffernutter Day

Peanut cultivation and popularity in American food culture can be attributed to Dr. George Washington Carver, nicknamed “The Father of the Peanut” for his tireless devotion to this versatile legume. In fact, in 1925, Carver published a bulletin called, “How to Grow the Peanut and 105 Ways of Preparing it for Human Consumption.”

Peanuts are a very valuable source of protein, niacin, folate and phytosterols, more than any nut. They also contain over 30 essential nutrients and phytonutrients. Peanuts are naturally cholesterol-free and rumor has it that there’s enough mental stimulation in one peanut to give a person 30 minutes of serious thinking! Need a brain recharge, eat a peanut.

Even if that’s not the case, peanuts provide a serious source of protein and B vitamins to help prevent “brain fatigue”! So keep a bag nearby for that extra boost now and then. Enjoy!