Pit Stop Bar-B-Q / Pure Oil

Category: 4 peas: Scrumptiously stewed legumes

Rating: 4 pea on a 5-pea-pod scale
Verdict: We weren’t exactly craving boilers after blueberry picking and a Southern lunch the size of Lake Oconee, but we had to sample the offering from this Pure Oil gas station, convenience store and, apparently, bar-b-q shop.

Even if it’s boiling peanuts, it’s a little unnerving to see an open flame fueled by a propane tank near gas pumps. But we were re-nerved to hear that they boil their own peanuts “from out west,” or words that effect.

And indeed, these were Valencias, the variety you’re most likely to find in North Georgia and western South Carolina, but thoroughly boiled. Although the flavor was quite respectable -- mildly salty with some curiously sweet peas in the mix -- the texture was strange. These were extremely tender --verging on precious in fact. It made us think about the pros and cons of boiled-peanut-butter or perhaps a boiler-based hummus dip. Anyway, these BPs were even more delicious later in the day as a chilled summer snack.

We won’t wait for blueberry-picking season to return for more boilers at the Pit Stop Bar-B-Q.

[Map it on the Roadside Guide]
Season: Probably all year round
Hours: n/a
Price: $3.00 (plus tax)
Serving: A generous portion in a plastic bag inside a paper bag
Notes: Actually a gas station and convenience store and bar-b-q joint
Proprietor: n/a
Last taste: August 2008
Nut type: New Mexico Valencias
Soak time: n/a
Boil time: n/a
Taster: Thomas