Peanuts; Peanut Oil

Although they grow in the ground, peanuts (Arachis hypogaea, called myaypei in Burmese) are in fact legumes, as the word pea indicates. They are rich in oil and a good source of protein. In Burma peanuts are used roasted and crushed as a flavoring and texture in salads, but their main use is for oil. The dry zone in the middle of the country, around Mandalay and Bagan, is ideal for growing peanuts. The oil is pressed from the seeds, and the mass that remains is often dressed with flavorings (finely sliced lime leaves, lime juice, shallots, etc.) and used as the base for a kind of salad.