I am looking for the name of a mystery vegitable/edible seedpod that
was delivered into my house by a friend. pictures of them can be found
here http://www.flickr.com/photos/12838806@N00/sets/1342564/

They are of Chinese origin. I am told that they can be prepaired by
boiling them for 25 minutes, and that they have a flavor somewhere
between peanuts and potatos. I was also told that they have no name,
though I am hesitant to accept that.

I am looking for as much identifying information on them as possible
(including a name)

Hi giblfiz,
  
This is the seed pod of "Trapa bicornis", an aquatic Asian plant.
 
 
From: 
http://waynesword.palomar.edu/ploct95.htm
   
"This bizarre horny fruit (not the student) has two prominent,
downcurved horns and superficially resembles the head of a bull. The
fruit body has a woody, sculptured surface that resembles a face. To
some people the entire structure resembles a bat, especially if they
are slightly delirious. It comes from an oriental aquatic plant often
called "water chestnut" (...) Other common names for this plant
include "water caltrop" and the Chinese name of "ling kio" or "ling
chio." It belongs to the water-caltrop family (Trapaceae) and includes
the single genus (Trapa) with several closely-related species."
 
 
 
Additional links:
 
DEVIL POD or BAT NUT
http://www.luckymojo.com/batnut.html
 
Trapa bicornis - Plants For A Future database report
http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Trapa+bicornis
 
Asia Food Glossary - Water Chestnut
http://www.asiafood.org/glossary_1.cfm?alpha=W&wordid=3320&startno=1&endno=25
 
 
 
Search terms used:
 
china horned pod 
://www.google.com/search?q=china+horned+pod
 
"Trapa bicornis"
://www.google.com/search?q="Trapa+bicornis"
  
"Trapa bicornis" cooking
://www.google.com/search?q="Trapa+bicornis"+cooking

They look like some chestnut-y things that street vendors sell here in
Taiwan. I think they way they are prepared here involves roasting them
in a wok.  Very distinctive autumny smell when you pass them roasting
in a streetside wok!These seedpods have a very hard shell!

In Chinese, it is called "Ling Jiao". It is very popular in south east
of China, like Shanghai, Hangzhou.

Just a few days before I took it. It can be cooked by Steam.

Very fresh taste. 

Hope you like it.

Yes,the Chinese PinYin is "Ling Jiao",a translation programme told me
,English for "Ling Jiao" is "water caltrop" or "water chestnut ",is it
right?

It can be eaten after cooken,or eaten raw,very sweet.