A Tribute to Peanut Butter
Written by Samara Purvis
County Director/ 4H Agent Bradford County
January 24 was National Peanut Butter Day and subsequently it is also my birthday. In celebration of this festive day, I want to talk about my memories growing up and of course peanut butter.
Growing up peanut butter was a major staple in my house. School lunch bags often consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on soft white Wonder Bread and a baggie of Lay’s potato chips. This is still one of my favorite combinations. Myself personally I likes chunky peanut butter, but my mom always bought smooth.
I attended Jane H Bryan Elementary school for Kindergarten. Remembering a project once in class where the teacher asked all the students “Who invented peanut butter?” Our assignment was to bring in an item that represented the inventor. One of my classmates bringing in superman action figures. Back then we had superman peanut butter. I bought in a quarter and told the teacher that George Washington invented peanut butter. Chuckling to myself every time I think of this moment. I was on to something.
George Washington Carver is often spoke of as being the inventor of peanut butter. I am a history lover so I often just research people to learn about them more. George Washington Carver was a very interesting person. He was actually an agricultural scientist and an inventor during the early 1900’s. Carver was known as the peanut man. A lot of his success in agriculture came from his works with peanuts though he was not the true inventor of peanut butter. That was invented in 1884. Carver’s works did make peanuts a staple in America. He was also a humanitarian and did great works in the community.
Peanuts are healthy; they give us healthy fats and a good source of protein and vitamins. Peanuts are beans. I’ve never eaten a raw peanut before, but they are mostly roasted or boiled before consuming. If you are looking for healthier snack options peanuts are a good choice. Another interesting fact is that peanuts are one of the Big 8 food allergens that account for 90% of fool allergens in the US (servsafe.com). If you have a peanut allergy as always be safe and read your labels. I hope you enjoyed my tribute to peanuts.
For those who can eat peanuts I offer a few of my favorite recipe links.
Peanut butter fudge is one of those delights that once you have a piece you want to keep tasting. Nice smooth peanut buttery texture.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/22724/easiest-peanut-butter-fudge/
Chicken Satay with Peanut sauce was one of the first recipes I mastered at Johnson & Wales University, it has remained a favorite of mine.
https://damndelicious.net/2019/06/07/chicken-satay-with-peanut-sauce/
This Peanut butter cookie recipe is a little twist on the classic. I stumbled across this while preparing for a holiday baking workshop and it has remained in my cookie rotation. I hope you enjoy.
https://www.myfoodandfamily.com/recipe/145172/no-flour-peanut-butter-cookies
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