Shihondro (Comorian Caramelized Peanut Candy)
In short: Roasted peanuts coated in amber caramel, spread thin and broken into crunchy pieces, a simple sweet from the Comoros. It takes about 30 min in total and makes 10 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 30 min
- Servings
- 10
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 260 kcal
Shihondro is a peanut candy from the Comoros, a simple sweet to nibble with tea. It needs only peanuts and sugar, plus attention at the stove. The sugar cooks to pale amber, hot roasted peanuts are stirred in, and the mixture is spread thin so it sets into a crunchy, glassy slab that you break into pieces. Once you have made one batch, the timing becomes easy to judge.
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 160°C (325°F). Spread the peanuts on a baking tray and roast for 10 minutes, until fragrant and lightly golden. Keep them warm.
- Line a second baking tray with parchment paper and brush it lightly with the oil. Oil a spatula too.
- Put the sugar, water and lemon juice in a heavy saucepan. Stir once over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then stop stirring.
- Boil for 8 to 10 minutes, swirling the pan now and then, until the syrup turns pale amber (about 150°C/300°F).
- Take the pan off the heat and quickly stir in the warm peanuts and the salt until every nut is coated.
- Pour the mixture onto the oiled parchment and spread it thin with the oiled spatula. Work fast, because it hardens within a minute.
- Let the candy cool for 30 minutes until completely hard, then break it into pieces. Store in an airtight tin.
Tips
- Molten sugar is far hotter than boiling water and sticks to skin. Keep children away, and soak the pan in hot water afterwards to dissolve the hardened caramel.
- Roasted unsalted peanuts also work. Skip the oven step, warm them gently in a pan, and add them at the same point.
Questions and answers
How long does shihondro keep?
Stored airtight in a cool, dry place, it stays crisp for about 2 weeks. Humidity makes it sticky, so add a sheet of parchment between layers.
Why did my caramel turn grainy?
Sugar crystals formed, usually from stirring after the sugar dissolved or from crystals on the pan wall. The lemon juice helps prevent this, and a wet brush cleans the wall.
Can I use other nuts?
Yes. Cashews, almonds or sesame seeds all work in the same way. Cashews are grown in the region and give a milder, creamier crunch.
How long does it take to make Shihondro (Comorian Caramelized Peanut Candy)?
About 30 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Shihondro (Comorian Caramelized Peanut Candy)?
About 260 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 25 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 260 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 25 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 20 g |
| Sodium | 70 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
