Since peanuts are a legume, some people treat them like beans. They can be found in quite a few different cultures, but the most well-known examples are in Chinese cuisine, where they get cooked like a red braise without soy (because it muddies the color), or simpler with just star anise and salt (or sometimes no salt and served with soy at the end), and southern cuisine, where they're cooked in a simple brine.
I can hear the roommate's girlfriend again. Le sigh.