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Not only are peanuts versatile, but their skins can also be put to good use. Here are a few ideas.
Using Peanut Skins in Gardening and Plant Care
Peanuts aren’t just great as a snack. Peanut shells can be a useful helper in the garden—as fertilizer, mulch, or a natural pest control agent.
- The shells are rich in nitrogen and thus help promote plant growth.
- Finely chopped and worked into the soil or spread as a mulch layer on the ground, they decompose and release their nutrients into the soil.
- Since they have slightly sharp edges, they act as a barrier against snails and other pests when spread, for example, along the edge of a vegetable bed.
- If you have chickens or rabbits, you can also feed the peanut shells to them.
Uses in the Kitchen
Peanut shells can also be easily put to use in the kitchen. While they are not suitable for consumption, they are versatile when used as a spice or to add a smoky flavor. But be careful if you have a peanut allergy!
- The shells can be roasted and ground, then used as a spice. They have a smoky flavor that works particularly well with meat or similar dishes.
- If you enjoy grilling, you can also toss the peanut shells onto the grill. Wrapped in aluminum foil, they develop a smoky flavor that gives meat or vegetables a special kick.
- Peanut shells are also suitable as fuel and can be used as an alternative energy source for stoves and fireplaces.
