FLEMING ISLAND — There’s no place like paradise when customers stop by the grassy fields on U.S. Highway 17. A savory, salty smell emanating from the busy road.
Off to the side, surrounded by a circle of tall metal pots, Jennifer and Robby Strickland are boiling up something special.
The two own Peanut Paradise, Fleming Island’s hot boiled peanut pop up stand. It’s where southern traditions thrive; and a modern community relishes in the nostalgic tastes.
“I never realized how much people love boiled peanuts. Especially ours,” Jennifer said.
The Stricklands began the business as a second gig in order to catch up on bills during a tough time. However, they said it’s since spiraled into something bigger.
Every Friday and Saturday, you can find them settled under a tent at 4405 U.S. Highway 17, right next door to the Best Price Furniture and Mattress parking lot. What initially started with just 25 pounds of peanuts from Hampton Forest Farms in West Virginia, has now capped at about 250 pounds delivered per order.
“Our first day out here was Super Bowl weekend,” Jennifer said. “So, people were buying gallons for the game.”
Boiled peanuts happen to be a southern tradition, even known as “the caviar of the south.” But, being from New Jersey, Jennifer said she wasn’t familiar.
Robby, on the other hand, said his father taught him the art of a good peanut boil as a young boy in Greenwood, South Carolina. For him, it’s a full circle moment.
“He had some nice property on a very busy road like this. And I would sit at the end of the road and sell boiled peanuts every Saturday and every Sunday after church.”
The Stricklands said it’s quite an extensive process. After the peanuts arrive in bags from the farm, Jennifer said they are soaked in water for 24 hours, then strained to remove any excess dirt.
The peanuts are then boiled in 100-quart pots and cooked for eight to 10 hours.
“I let them boil probably like the first four hours, and I start seasoning.”
Jennifer said they just had three flavors to start with: regular, Cajun and salt and vinegar. After trial-and-error experimenting, garlic butter, dill pickle, hot and spicy and jalapeño are in high demand. Crab boil, however, remains the most popular.
“That’s a hit. Everybody loves that,” she said.
On Sundays, when they’re not at their spot, the Stricklands said they take the time to relax and attend church. But every other day of the week, the pots are usually steaming.
“We’re always cooking or we’re selling,” Jennifer said.
Located at what they call the perfect spot, lines of traffic are able to make easy right turns into the circular driveway. Robby said the owners of the store had no hesitation when they asked if they could set up. In fact, the Stricklands said they remain some of their most loyal customers.
Others flock to their booth from Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Mandarin and even Palatka, buying various sizes and mixing and matching flavors. From baseball moms and football fans to those in need of a simple snack bag, the Stricklands said their customer base is large, diverse and loyal. More than they could ever ask for.
It’s a peanut paradise after all.