When cooked properly, Field Peas are full of flavor delicious unique to only themselves.
Here are tips on how to cook them perfectly.
Crowder, Dixie Lee, Mississippi Silver, Old Timer, White Acre, Red Ripper, Big Boy, Stick Up, Pole Cat, Wash Day, Rattle Snake, Purple Hull, Bird, Iron Clay…
These are just a few of the eclectic names for the beloved summer southern crop known as the Field Pea.
Why so many names? There are hundreds of names for the little peas because there are hundreds of varieties, each special in their own way.
During this relentless, humid, hotter than Hades weather here in the South; it helps to know our beloved Field Pea is now in season!
In the summertime, at the Farmer's Market, these little peas are a prized commodity.
They are as classic of an icon to the southern table as Sweet Tea, Fried Chicken, and Cornbread; but rarely heard of up North.
What makes these tiny peas so special?
When cooked properly, these tender peas are full of flavor unique to only themselves.
And no; they are nothing like the dull flavored canned Peas…
Their freshness from the garden is what makes them so good.
It really is best to eat them in the summer time.
Tips on how to cook field peas
There is an art form in cooking our southern field peas.
Here are some tips on how to cook tender, flavorful field peas:
- If you add too much water, they will lack in flavor. If you add too little water, they will turn out crunchy. An important step is to only add enough water to barely cover the peas. I like to use a chicken or vegetable broth for more flavor.
- Most cooks add in a form of pork, whether it be bacon drippings, fatback, ham hock, or salted pork… The meat not only develops the flavor but also acts as a thickener to the bean pot. Without this step, the peas can be rather boring.
- Top your field peas with tomatoes, hot peppers, and or onions, and serve with a side of cornbread; this makes a delicious, warm, flavorful meal. We call these types of dishes Soul Food because they make your belly full and your heart warm. My Mother-In-Law and Father-In-Law makes the best Field Peas. After years of practicing, I am getting close, but I will never make them quite as good as they do.
How to Freeze Field Peas:
Because you can't get them in the winter, many people freeze them for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Sunday dinners.
Here are the steps on how to freeze field peas:
- Wash field peas really well.
- Blanch them by adding them in a pot of boiling water, cover with a lid, and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the peas from the boiling water. Drain well and cool immediately in ice water. Once chilled, drain well from the ice water.
- Store them in air-tight containers, leaving ½-inch headspace. You can also store them in plastic freezer bags, removing as much air as possible. Seal, and freeze up to 6 months.
If you like this recipe, check out some of these other tasty Southern recipes:
- Easy Southern Banana Pudding
- How to Cook Collard Greens
- Southern Crockpot Green Beans with Bacon
- Southern Sweet Potato Casserole
- French Onion Chicken Noodle Casserole
- Tomato Grits Casserole
- Southern Baked Beans Quintet
- Southern Classic Chicken and Pastry
- Granny Moore’s Dressing
How to Cook Field Peas
Ingredients
- 4 cups fresh shelled field peas any variety
- 2½ cups chicken stock vegetable stock
- One small slice about 1½ ounces of salt pork
- OR 2 teaspoons of bacon grease
- OR you can use a few small pieces of fresh pork belly or fatback that you precooked slowly in a pan until well browned
- Salt and Peper to Taste
- Optional: Top with fresh chopped tomatoes hot peppers, and onions.
Instructions
- Put 4 cups of fresh field peas in a pot and cover with 2 ½ cups chicken stock or water. Liquid should just barely cover the peas.
- Add in 1½ ounces fat seasoning or 2 tbs bacon grease.
- Bring to a boil over med-high heat.
- If foam develops, remove foam.
- Boil for 2 minutes, then reduce heat. Cook at a simmer for 25 to 30 minutes or until peas are perfectly tender, but not overcooked.
- Taste for seasoning.
- Serve by itself or with a side of cornbread.
Cindy Dandrea
I'm originally from Edenton,N.C. & these peas were a staple in our household. I always looked forward to going to my Grandmas house and looking under that pot lid at. those delicious peas ad a side of fresh cooked cornbread ! AAH!!! THOSE DAYS ! Ordered me up some Carolina Field peas and they are going on the stove as I type this !! Thanks for the recipe !!!!!
brooke abee
We call these crowder peas in western NC. They are the very best! I have a bushel on the stove now! Top with summer tomatos, shallots and jalapenos!
Sun-Dee Jackson
Oh man so many hot summer days shelling field peas! I spent most Summers with my grandmother and every holiday with her and field peas and fresh corn were always on the menu that was the only place I'd ever had them she was from North Carolina and had moved to the north deep north of Michigan in the fifties so nobody around us ever had Field peas! my grandmother never taught me how to cook her dishes I've had to try and replicate them on my own and some of them I've gotten pretty darn close but I am 40 years old and to this day have not tried to make field peas after seeing the picture in this recipe that's exactly what my grandmother's look like and I'm going to go to the farmers market today get some and make them with dinner. My daughter and I just got back from Myrtle Beach and a trip to Charleston South Carolina and I made sure to pick up some Carolina gold rice grits cornmeal so tonight I'm going to make hot water cornbread field peas stew beef and rice fresh corn Fried Green Tomatoes and a banana pudding I cannot wait
Mary Templeton
My husband and I were delayed returning to our beach home after the storm. I had placed my precious frozen Dixie Lee field peas in a CHILL CHEST to travel with us in case our electricity went out for more that 48 hours and everything in our freezer thawed! On our return the field peas stayed quite cold, but were no longer frozen solid. Can I safely refreeze them? I'm hoping you say "Yes!" I placed them back in our freezer immediately upon our arrival back home.
Brian Jones
This sounds superb, I've never heard of field peas before... Not something we seem to get in Europe, the cooking method sounds superb and is very similar to the way I cook puy lentils with a piece of cured pork in the cooking liquid.
I might have to see if I can order some seeds and have a play next year 🙂
Caroline
I'm not sure I've had field peas, unless they also go by another name elsewhere which is possible. I do like all kinds of pulses, though, and the Southern way of getting bacon/salted ham flavor in them has such a comfort factor.
Catherine Brown
I haven't eaten these since I was kid when we lived in Texas. My mom was raised in Alabama and this is exactly how she made them, and always served with skillet cornbread and buttermilk. I'd love to try these again and an hoping I can find some fresh ones!
Michelle
These field peas look so hearty and delicious. I've never tried them before. Great tips here on how to perfect them!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt
What a fabulous meal! I love field peas but hadn't made them myself. Thanks for the how-to!
Melissa Harrison
I was raised near Fayetteville NC and field peas were a staple in our house. That pot of peas of yours looks almost as good as mine. Just kidding.. But seriously, I can't think of a better meal than peas, pan fried cornbread, and a slice of onion..yummmmy. So lucky to be from such a great place.
karrie @ Tasty Ever After
This brings me back to my school days at UT in Knoxville where I ate field peas all the time. Love your recipe Katie, it goes great with fried chicken! Yummy.
Katie
They are in the same family, but they are smaller, more tender, and taste a little more special…
Dorcas
I love peas, beans and lentils.I was so happy to find this recipe to give field peas a try. They turned out delicious!