Groundnuts (peanuts) are definitely one of my favourite things to snack on. Roasted or boiled, it’s delicious, healthy, and easily available. Whilst roasted groundnuts have a special place and pair with most snacking combos—garri, banana, popcorn, boli—, the boiled ones are the best.

Boiled groundnut season typically begins in mid-July in Nigeria. Also know as elephant nuts, they come in two variants—done and half done. This is something I recently learned as I never knew there was an option to choose from. Did you know?

The done version is typically very soft, a bit soggy, and melts in your mouth. Whilst the half-done version is more ale dente—soft and semi-chewy without being soggy. Depending on where you buy it from, you’re most likely to get the half-done version. It lasts longer and just happens to stay fresh from the time it was cooked. The done version is a game of chance.

It’s my preferred version but it does tend to get spoilt quickly. The only way you’ll know is after you’ve bought them, unfortunately. Either way, it’s something I look forward to every year. How do you like your nuts?