Peanuts from The Vegetarian Dec 92/Jan 93 Don't underestimate the humble peanut this Christmas, writes Tina Courtney. More than just a snack, they have a host of uses for peanut main meals
One of Christmas's little rituals is sitting in front of the TV, watching the umpteenth repeat of The Great Escape, and munching on peanuts from the extra-large family size tin while you wait for the 'real' Christmas dinner to cook. But don't be misled by its diminutive size and humble appearance; packed with goodness and bursting with taste, the peanut can be a life-saver for a vegetarian looking For an unusual, nutritious main meal. You'd be surprised at what you can do with peanuts!	Peanuts are already popular in many formats - salted, roasted, with raisins, in butter form (what vegetarian can resist a peanut butter and banana sandwich!) - but they are also versatile enough to turn a main meal into a splendidly nutty occasion. Try our selection of recipes and you'll never underestimate peanuts again.
NUTTY NUTRITION
Peanuts and peanut butter contain high levels of fibre and protein, as well as many valuable vitamins and minerals such as all B vitamins except B12, vitamin E, calcium and iron. They are an excellent source of unsaturated fat and contain particularly beneficial monounsaturates which are also found in olive oil. Like all vegetables, peanuts contain no cholesterol. Combining peanuts with rice, pulses or grains provides a 'complete' protein, which is why a peanut butter sandwich is hard to beat as an inexpensive, nutritious snack.	Remember, children under the age of five should not be given whole peanuts or other kinds of whole nuts. But smooth nut butters are ideal for children as they contain so many important nutrients and are a high energy, high protein food. Peanut butter is an ideal sweet or savoury sandwich filling; try it with lettuce and cheese, avocado; tomato, cucumber and mushroom slices; or with Marmite and watercress.
NUTTY TRIVIA
The peanut isn't actually a nut; it's a bean that grows underground like potatoes. The peanut is also called a groundnut or is sometimes referred to as a 'goober nut', from the Congo name 'nguba'. One of the world's most famous peanut farmers is former US President Jimmy Carter. An American botanist developed more than 300 uses for peanuts, including an alternative to shoe polish and toothpaste. Peanut butter was invented by an American doctor in 1890 to provide a nutritious and easily digested food for his elderly patients.	An Australian inventor is said to have devised a car which runs on peanut butter. Surveys have revealed that men prefer smooth peanut butter while women opt for crunchy. Peanuts have even gone into space. Astronaut Allen B.Shepherd took some on his Apollo mission to the moon. The world record for eating 100 peanuts, one at a time, is 59.2 seconds.
NUTTY FACTS Inca jars and bowls shaped like peanuts or decorated with them, dating back 3,500 years, have been discovered in Peru and Brazil. Spanish traders in the late 15th century took the peanut from the 'New World' of South America into Europe. But peanuts were introduced into North America from Africa in the 18th century. There are about 50,000 peanut farms in America - in Georgia, Alabama, Texas, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, Florida and South Carolina. Nut Crackers - peanut recipe feature back to the index of food articles