South Carolina Boiled Peanuts

1. Wash the Peanuts in clear water; Place the Peanuts in a large boiling pot and cover them with water; Add 12 oz salt for each 5 lbs of Peanuts (adjust salt for your taste); During the boiling process, keep the Peanuts always covered with water; Cooking time will vary depending on the amount of Peanuts you are boiling.
2. Periodically use a large spoon to get a Peanut to sample to find out if it meets your desired taste and firmness/softness; Dry Peanuts will need longer boiling time than green (new crop) Peanuts; Let the Peanuts sit in the salt brine 30 to 60 minutes before serving or, to serve cooled, let Peanuts sit in the salt brine for 60 minutes then drain and let stand until Peanuts reach room temperature, then just shell 'em and eat 'em!! 1/2-lb.
3. serving per person.