Black eyed peas have a long history in the South with varying stories as to how black eyed peas came to be part of Southern cooking. The most common story is that slaves brought black eyed peas over and that it was cheap food that was adopted by struggling Southerners (both black and white) early in the history of the United States and now considered a favorite soul food dish.
A Festival of Colors and Flavors
Black eye peas come in a variety of colors, although the most common color if shopping in the grocery store is a light brown with black spot or eye. The heirloom varieties include many more colors and are easy and fun to grow.
Black Eyed Peas are an "Eyeball" Southern Recipe
Most Southerners do not have a specific recipe per se for black eyed peas. Black eyed peas are an “eyeball” kind of recipe, but it is possible for those who did not grow up to get the touch for making a great pot of black eyed peas. It just takes a little practice. It is worth it though, because home cooked black eyed peas are much better than canned. There is really no comparison.
Basic Southern Black Eyed Pea Recipe
Ingredients:
- Around 3 cups of dried black eyed peas (sold in bags like pinto beans at the grocery store)
- A big pot of water for rehydrating
- One country style ham hock (also called “seasoning” in the South)
- Fresh pot of water to boil/simmer ham hock and then black eyed peas
- Hot sauce like Louisiana Hot Sauce or Frank’s Hot Sauce (about 8 splashes is good for a kick but mild)
- An onion (optional)
Directions:
- In a large stock pot, put the dried black eyed peas with cold water overnight to rehydrate. Black eyed peas will basically double in size to give a ballpark idea of the size pot needed.
- When ready to make black eyed peas the next day, pour off cold water. This helps take the gas out of the beans too.
- Put the ham hock (also often called “seasoning” in the South) in the pot with fresh water and cook at close to the boiling point for about an hour.
- Remove ham hock and let cool.
- Meanwhile, put the black eyed peas in the pot with the water where the ham hock was cooking. Add more water if needed. Beans should have a half inch or so of water above them as the water evaporates as they simmer.
- Splash in hot sauce and add onion if wanted.
- Drop the heat down a little to a medium simmer.
- Pick meat off ham hock and drop meat only in with black eyed peas. There’s not a lot of meat on a ham hock, but it is tasty in the beans.
- Let black eyed peas simmer along for an hour or so or until tender. Black eyed peas should be soft but not splitting open. The amount of time can vary with the stove and temperature. Black eyed peas are a good back burner dish as Southerners cook other parts of a meal.
Second Day Black Eyed Peas are Favorites for Some
Black eyed peas are good warmed over and have a thicker sauce as they sit in the refrigerator and then warmed up (microwave if fine for this). The first day, black eyed peas are usually watery as far as the liquid (serve with slotted spoon), unless some of the black eyed peas are blended and added as thickening. Some Southerners prefer the thinner sauce while others like it thick.
Black Eyed Peas Bring Good Luck for the New Year
Many Southerners eat black eyed peas and greens on New Years Day. This tradition is said to bring luck and money for the new year. It's a fun Southern food tradition adopted by many across the United States and around the globe now. After all, who would not like some more luck and money?
Best Southern Dishes to Serve with Black Eyed Peas:
Old Fashioned Cornbread - It's hard to go wrong with cornbread, and cornbread is a favorite to serve along with black eyed peas.
Mom's Sweet Potato Casserole - Black eyed peas and this "shut your mouth" sweet potato casserole are what Southern soul food is all about.
Best Ever Potato Salad - Can't go wrong with potato salad. It goes with everything - at least in the South. This is a really great version of an old classic recipe.
Cyndi Allison - Southern born and fed, Cyndi Allison is a college lecturer and newspaper advisor as well as being a freelance writer. She writes on ...
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