friday feast: the great peanut butter smackdown

~ jama

 


photo by enzo & lulu.

Hey, you’re just in time! Would you like an apple slice with peanut butter? It’s my favorite snack. (Don’t worry about peanut butter breath. We’re all friends here.)

Besides, there’s very good reason to indulge: November is National Peanut Butter Lovers Month (not to be confused with National Peanut Month, which is in March). No, today it’s all about creamy goodness and spreading it on thick, with the help of Shel Silverstein and Kenn Nesbitt. What? You’ve polished off all the apple slices already? Not to worry.

 

We’ve also got these (once I took an entire box to my college dorm and instantly became very popular):


photo by Bob.Fornal.

Don’t you love how peanut butter and chocolate are such natural friends? You probably make some of these during the holidays:


photo by jennymarie5.

Or these:


photo by Stoodle.

I’ve always wondered why pb cookies are marked with the crisscross pattern. Who invented that, anyway?

photo by simply…gluten-free.

When it comes to pb, I’m very nosy. What kind of jam or jelly do you like on your sandwiches? (I love me some raspberry and blueberry.)


photo by erandell498.

And how do you feel about marshmallow fluff? I’d never heard of it till I met Len (same as rice pudding). Aren’t fluffernutters mostly a New England thing?


photo by kimberlykv.

Time for a poem:

I’M GETTING SICK OF PEANUT BUTTER
by Kenn Nesbitt

I look inside my lunch box,
and, oh, what do I see?
A peanut butter sandwich
staring glumly back at me.

I know I had one yesterday,
and, yes, the day before.
In fact, that’s all I’ve eaten
for at least a month or more.

(Rest is here.)

I hope you don’t mind my asking, but do you have arachibutyrophobia? That’s fear of peanut butter getting stuck to the roof of your mouth. If so, better skip the next poem:

PEANUT-BUTTER SANDWICH
by Shel Silverstein

I’ll sing a poem of a silly young king
Who played with the world at the end of a string,
But he only loved one single thing —
And that was just a peanut-butter sandwich.

His scepter and his royal gowns,
His regal throne and golden crowns
Were brown and sticky from the mounds
And drippings from each peanut-butter sandwich.

His subjects all were silly fools
For he had passed a royal rule
That all that they could learn in school
Was how to make a peanut-butter sandwich.

(Rest is here.)

Mamautizschuk!

*takes a swig of cider*

Okay, enough of the polite peanut butter poetics. We’ve got some serious polling to do. We can talk all day about jelly, fluff, cookies, or apples, but when push comes to shove, there’s only one really significant question.

Creamy or chunky?

Before you answer, consider this: usually more women and children prefer creamy, while men go for chunky. Also, more people on the East Coast prefer creamy, while they are ga-ga for chunky out West.

Are you typical? If you live in the middle of the country, I imagine you throw caution to the wind and pig out on enjoy both. ☺

Whatever your preference, here’s your homework for the weekend:


Recipe for Black Bottom Peanut Butter Pie by Pillsbury.com.

DID YOU KNOW?

Peanut butter was first developed by a St. Louis doctor in 1890 for his patients who had bad teeth.

Americans eat 700 million pounds of pb every year (that’s enough to coat the bottom of the Grand Canyon), and it’s found in about 75% of American homes.

One acre of peanuts will make 30,000 pb sandwiches.

The high protein content of pb draws moisture from your mouth, making it sticky.


photo by vzonabaxter.

(At the time of this posting, today’s Poetry Friday Roundup host is a mystery. Will update when info is available.)

ETA: Elaine at Wild Rose Reader has generously agreed to host the Roundup today. Thanks so much, Elaine!

“If you don’t mind smelling like peanut butter for two or three days, peanut butter makes darn good shaving cream.” ~ Barry Goldwater

“Man cannot live by bread alone; he must have peanut butter.” ~ James A. Garfield

Copyright © 2009 Jama Rattigan of jama rattigan’s alphabet soup. All rights reserved.

62 thoughts on “friday feast: the great peanut butter smackdown”

  1. Tanita Says 🙂

    Those peanut butter cups are way too easy to make. I find I enjoy nut butters once it’s cold; I can do without them in the summer, but somehow, they’re a winter treat. I’m all about those apples and peanut butter! Add a little maple syrup to the peanut butter, with a Granny Smith, and it’s even better. YUM.

    Normally we buy creamy. I accidentally bought chunky… so now we have both. And we’re eating both. Chunky is good for cookies; creamy for apples. Or, vice versa, if the mood comes upon me… Man, I can’t choose!

    Like

  2. Tanita Says 🙂
    Those peanut butter cups are way too easy to make. I find I enjoy nut butters once it’s cold; I can do without them in the summer, but somehow, they’re a winter treat. I’m all about those apples and peanut butter! Add a little maple syrup to the peanut butter, with a Granny Smith, and it’s even better. YUM.
    Normally we buy creamy. I accidentally bought chunky… so now we have both. And we’re eating both. Chunky is good for cookies; creamy for apples. Or, vice versa, if the mood comes upon me… Man, I can’t choose!

    Like

  5. My friends who used to live in Ohio introduced me to Buckeyes—have you had those? Peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. And we’re gaga at my house for Cheerio treats made with peanut butter (I just sent Liz, the Cheerio queen, the recipe.)

    As to creamy vs. crunchy: I eat both. I also give my dog the knife to lick clean.

    Like

  6. My friends who used to live in Ohio introduced me to Buckeyes—have you had those? Peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate. And we’re gaga at my house for Cheerio treats made with peanut butter (I just sent Liz, the Cheerio queen, the recipe.)
    As to creamy vs. crunchy: I eat both. I also give my dog the knife to lick clean.

    Like

  7. Re: Tanita Says 🙂

    I think during cold weather you’re needing more calories to keep you warm :). I’ve never tried adding maple syrup to pb — can’t wait.

    I enjoy both, too — but lately it’s been more creamy. I’ve been on the East Coast too long!

    Like

  8. Re: Tanita Says 🙂
    I think during cold weather you’re needing more calories to keep you warm :). I’ve never tried adding maple syrup to pb — can’t wait.
    I enjoy both, too — but lately it’s been more creamy. I’ve been on the East Coast too long!

    Like

  11. Never heard of Buckeyes, but you had me at “dipped in chocolate.” Yay for Liz, the Cheerio Queen! PB + cereal = yum.

    I like your democratic pb policy. 😉

    Like

  12. Never heard of Buckeyes, but you had me at “dipped in chocolate.” Yay for Liz, the Cheerio Queen! PB + cereal = yum.
    I like your democratic pb policy. 😉

    Like

  13. Peanut butter was first developed by a St. Louis doctor in 1890 for his patients who had bad teeth.

    I thought George Washington Carver had something to do with PB?

    Anyway, I do love PB. It seems to be largely an American taste, though – ask anyone from other countries and they’ll likely wrinkle their noses. Then again, I fail to understand the appeal of Vegemite, so I suppose we’re even. 😉

    I was raised on chunky; my mother believed it was more nutritious than creamy – more roughage, I suppose? We use creamy, now; I’ve bought chunky now and then, but I think only my husband appreciates it. I use natural PB, which generally is easier to find in creamy, although just-ground PB has a slight crunchy texture to it.

    I’ve never had a fluffernutter – sounds odd. My daughter likes PB and banana toasted inside a tortilla – I like those two together but have never tried them in sandwich version like that. I just generally stick to the traditional PB&J; strawberry and grape are our most common selections, but we’ve done raspberry, blackberry and blueberry sometimes, too.

    PB has become even more of a staple for me since being on the special diet, because it’s quick and easy, and also forms the basis of some of my common no-grain baked goods, like muffins and brownies.

    Yum. Your posts always make me hungry!

    Like

  14. Peanut butter was first developed by a St. Louis doctor in 1890 for his patients who had bad teeth.
    I thought George Washington Carver had something to do with PB?
    Anyway, I do love PB. It seems to be largely an American taste, though – ask anyone from other countries and they’ll likely wrinkle their noses. Then again, I fail to understand the appeal of Vegemite, so I suppose we’re even. 😉
    I was raised on chunky; my mother believed it was more nutritious than creamy – more roughage, I suppose? We use creamy, now; I’ve bought chunky now and then, but I think only my husband appreciates it. I use natural PB, which generally is easier to find in creamy, although just-ground PB has a slight crunchy texture to it.
    I’ve never had a fluffernutter – sounds odd. My daughter likes PB and banana toasted inside a tortilla – I like those two together but have never tried them in sandwich version like that. I just generally stick to the traditional PB&J; strawberry and grape are our most common selections, but we’ve done raspberry, blackberry and blueberry sometimes, too.
    PB has become even more of a staple for me since being on the special diet, because it’s quick and easy, and also forms the basis of some of my common no-grain baked goods, like muffins and brownies.
    Yum. Your posts always make me hungry!

    Like

  17. Poetry Friday

    Elaine M.

    Jama,

    I couldn’t find out where the Poetry Friday Roundup was either. I’ll do it. Send folks to Wild Rose Reader. Thanks.

    I’ll have to come back and savor your post later.

    Like

  18. Poetry Friday
    Elaine M.
    Jama,
    I couldn’t find out where the Poetry Friday Roundup was either. I’ll do it. Send folks to Wild Rose Reader. Thanks.
    I’ll have to come back and savor your post later.

    Like

  19. Oh yum. I love peanut butter! Every single one of these pictures looks so good I want to lick the screen.

    For the record: creamy.

    And I had never heard of fluffernutters until I met my husband. Though he grew up in Fla, his family was from Rhode Island, so maybe it is a New England thing.

    One of the foods that has been the hardest to restrain myself on as I’ve lost a few pounds has been peanut butter…sniff, sniff. I miss it! (I do still eat it, but in much tinier portions. So sad.)

    Oh, and the poems were good, too:>) Shel’s especially.

    Like

  20. Oh yum. I love peanut butter! Every single one of these pictures looks so good I want to lick the screen.
    For the record: creamy.
    And I had never heard of fluffernutters until I met my husband. Though he grew up in Fla, his family was from Rhode Island, so maybe it is a New England thing.
    One of the foods that has been the hardest to restrain myself on as I’ve lost a few pounds has been peanut butter…sniff, sniff. I miss it! (I do still eat it, but in much tinier portions. So sad.)
    Oh, and the poems were good, too:>) Shel’s especially.

    Like

  21. Carver was indeed responsible for discovering about a hundred uses for peanuts, but apparently not so much for our modern concept of peanut butter. He was into peanut milk, for example,or peanuts used to make cosmetics, paints, etc. Still, if not for his promotion of the peanut as a lucrative alternative crop, others might not have been inspired to seek patents for pb. Who knows?

    Your daughter’s pb and banana tortilla shows Elvis tendencies :). I’m with you on shunning Vegemite or Marmite.

    Like

  22. Carver was indeed responsible for discovering about a hundred uses for peanuts, but apparently not so much for our modern concept of peanut butter. He was into peanut milk, for example,or peanuts used to make cosmetics, paints, etc. Still, if not for his promotion of the peanut as a lucrative alternative crop, others might not have been inspired to seek patents for pb. Who knows?
    Your daughter’s pb and banana tortilla shows Elvis tendencies :). I’m with you on shunning Vegemite or Marmite.

    Like

  25. I am ALL about natural, crunchy peanut butter. Crunchy crunchy crunchy.

    On sandwiches, crackers, tortillas, leaves of romaine lettuce, celery, apples. I love me some peanut butter…

    Almond butter, too. mmmmmm…..

    Like

  26. I am ALL about natural, crunchy peanut butter. Crunchy crunchy crunchy.
    On sandwiches, crackers, tortillas, leaves of romaine lettuce, celery, apples. I love me some peanut butter…
    Almond butter, too. mmmmmm…..

    Like

  27. PB is such a great, inexpensive source of protein, but it’s high in calories — about 100 per tablespoon. So I can see why it would be on a weight loss diet (sniff sniff).

    Like

  28. PB is such a great, inexpensive source of protein, but it’s high in calories — about 100 per tablespoon. So I can see why it would be on a weight loss diet (sniff sniff).

    Like

  29. LOL! You are, by far, the crunchiest person on the planet, and the new Cheerios Queen! YAY!!

    I hear you about the all natural PB, no transfats in our house. No sugar, either. Just peanuts!!

    Like

  30. LOL! You are, by far, the crunchiest person on the planet, and the new Cheerios Queen! YAY!!
    I hear you about the all natural PB, no transfats in our house. No sugar, either. Just peanuts!!

    Like

  35. I might have to do some further digging on this thing. His name doesn’t seem to be associated with a patent for peanut butter as we know it today. He might have developed some precursors, though . . .

    Like

  36. I might have to do some further digging on this thing. His name doesn’t seem to be associated with a patent for peanut butter as we know it today. He might have developed some precursors, though . . .

    Like

  39. Oh I love peanut butter but I am picky and not healthy about it. It has to be cream Jif. On white Wonder bread. No jam or jelly. Instead, sliced sweet pickles. Nummy.

    Like

  40. Oh I love peanut butter but I am picky and not healthy about it. It has to be cream Jif. On white Wonder bread. No jam or jelly. Instead, sliced sweet pickles. Nummy.

    Like

  41. You’re killin’ me, Jama. Peanut butter + chocolate = the best thing ever. And words cannot express how much I love the holiday sugar cookies with the Hershey’s kisses in the center.

    Chunky is always better.

    Jules, 7-Imp

    Like

  42. You’re killin’ me, Jama. Peanut butter + chocolate = the best thing ever. And words cannot express how much I love the holiday sugar cookies with the Hershey’s kisses in the center.
    Chunky is always better.
    Jules, 7-Imp

    Like

  43. *mouth puckering at mention of pickles*

    Can’t say I’ve ever heard of that combination! I’ll take your word for it that it’s good, and stick to my jelly . . . :).

    Like

  44. *mouth puckering at mention of pickles*
    Can’t say I’ve ever heard of that combination! I’ll take your word for it that it’s good, and stick to my jelly . . . :).

    Like

  45. Awww… That squirrel is adorable!

    I’m happy to see peanut butter paired with chocolate in several of these pics. When I was pregnant, my three food groups were chocolate, peanut butter, and prenatal vitamins.

    I prefer chunky and live on the East coast, so I’m atypical. (I always suspected it.)

    Great post and poems, as always!

    Janet

    Like

  46. Awww… That squirrel is adorable!
    I’m happy to see peanut butter paired with chocolate in several of these pics. When I was pregnant, my three food groups were chocolate, peanut butter, and prenatal vitamins.
    I prefer chunky and live on the East coast, so I’m atypical. (I always suspected it.)
    Great post and poems, as always!
    Janet

    Like

  51. YUM…

    Chunky. No question about it.

    Except that these days it’s more crunchy than chunky. Last Solstice, one of my gifts from the Kachinas was a jar of Butter Toffee Peanut Butter from Naturally Nutty, a small company in Traverse City, Michigan, and it was a watershed moment in my relationship with peanut butter.
    (http://stores.homestead.com/NaturallyNuttyFoodsInc/StoreFront.bok)
    Their peanut (and other nut) butters have flax and hemp seeds that give them a fun little crunch (and a healthy boost) along with the fabulous flavor. All it took was that one jar and I’m a convert! I have abandoned Skippy Super Chunk and I haven’t looked back!

    Don’t even get me started on the beautiful marriage of chocolate and peanut anything. Peanut clusters made with salty cocktail peanuts are the mainstay of my holiday candy making and peanut M&Ms are the first to disappear from my trick-or-treat bag.

    Okay, I have to stop now, I’m drooling on the computer and I haven’t even sent you a recipe for the buckeyes that Sara mentioned…

    Like

  52. YUM…
    Chunky. No question about it.
    Except that these days it’s more crunchy than chunky. Last Solstice, one of my gifts from the Kachinas was a jar of Butter Toffee Peanut Butter from Naturally Nutty, a small company in Traverse City, Michigan, and it was a watershed moment in my relationship with peanut butter.
    (http://stores.homestead.com/NaturallyNuttyFoodsInc/StoreFront.bok)
    Their peanut (and other nut) butters have flax and hemp seeds that give them a fun little crunch (and a healthy boost) along with the fabulous flavor. All it took was that one jar and I’m a convert! I have abandoned Skippy Super Chunk and I haven’t looked back!
    Don’t even get me started on the beautiful marriage of chocolate and peanut anything. Peanut clusters made with salty cocktail peanuts are the mainstay of my holiday candy making and peanut M&Ms are the first to disappear from my trick-or-treat bag.
    Okay, I have to stop now, I’m drooling on the computer and I haven’t even sent you a recipe for the buckeyes that Sara mentioned…

    Like

  53. Re: YUM…

    OMG! Butter Toffee Peanut Butter??!!! Must order some immediately. I do like the idea of flax and hemp seeds blended in. See, this is yet another reason I love this community. You find out such cool things you’d never hear about otherwise.

    Peanut clusters! Yum. Lucky friends who benefit from your holiday treat bags every year.

    Thank you for sharing your “watershed moment in your relationship with peanut butter.” 😀

    Like

  54. Re: YUM…
    OMG! Butter Toffee Peanut Butter??!!! Must order some immediately. I do like the idea of flax and hemp seeds blended in. See, this is yet another reason I love this community. You find out such cool things you’d never hear about otherwise.
    Peanut clusters! Yum. Lucky friends who benefit from your holiday treat bags every year.
    Thank you for sharing your “watershed moment in your relationship with peanut butter.” 😀

    Like

  55. peanut butter

    Ah… this was an issue when I got married. I grew up on Skippy and Jiff was my husband’s brand. Since I do the shopping, Skippy eventually won out… creamy of course… we are New Englanders by birth. Our rascal of a dog is named Skippy.

    Like

  56. peanut butter
    Ah… this was an issue when I got married. I grew up on Skippy and Jiff was my husband’s brand. Since I do the shopping, Skippy eventually won out… creamy of course… we are New Englanders by birth. Our rascal of a dog is named Skippy.

    Like

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