Rinse raw green peanuts or raw dried peanuts thoroughly
Sort out any damaged or broken peanuts
Place peanuts in a large pot
Add enough water to cover the peanuts by 2 to 3 inches
Add salt to the water
Bring the pot to a boil
Reduce to a gentle boil or simmer
Cover the pot partially
Cook until the peanuts are soft, usually 2 to 4 hours for green peanuts or 6 to 8 hours for dried peanuts
Check the water level occasionally and add more water if needed
Taste a peanut near the end to check doneness
Add more salt if desired
Drain the peanuts when they are tender
Serve warm or let cool before storing