Southern Purple Hull Peas Recipes

PURPLE HULL PEAS RECIPE

Steps:

• Add olive oil to a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Once the pan is hot, add the onion and cook for about six minutes or until it is tender and translucent.
• Add the peas, the ham hock, salt, pepper, and chicken stock. Add water if necessary to make sure the peas are covered by at least an inch of liquid. Turn the heat up to medium-high until the liquid comes to a boil. Reduce the heat and cook uncovered for about 20 minutes.
• Start tasting the peas at about 15 minutes to check for seasoning and to see if they are tender. The smaller and fresher they are, the less time they will need to cook.
• Once done, remove and discard the ham hock and serve immediately.

MOM'S PURPLE-HULL PEAS

Steps:

• Place the purple hull peas into a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, add okra if using and boil for 2 minutes, stirring twice. Reduce heat to medium-low, add the bacon, sugar, baking soda, salt, and pepper. Cover and simmer until tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

PURPLE HULL PEAS AND MUSTARD GREENS IN SMOKY POTLIKKER

Steps:

• Over medium heat, warm the oil in a large Dutch oven or other soup pot. Add the onion and celery and cook for 5 minutes, or until soft. Don't let the vegetables brown. Stir in the garlic and cook another minute. Stir in the chile, bay leaves, thyme and allspice.
• If using ham hocks, add them along with 10 cups of water, bring to a boil and skim off any foam. Partly cover the pot with a lid and simmer for 2 hours. If using smoked turkey wings or legs, add 9 cups of water, bring to a boil and skim off any foam. Partly cover with lid and simmer for one hour.
• Stir in the peas, partly cover the pot with the lid and simmer until the peas are tender. This will take about 20 minutes for fresh or frozen peas or as long as 1 1/2 hours for peas that were dried and soaked.
• While the beans cook, wash the mustard greens in several changes of water. Taste a leaf to be certain they are not gritty. Tear the greens into bite-size pieces and discard the tough middle stem. Alternately, pre-cut, bagged mustard greens can be used.
• Remove the hocks or wings to a platter and cool. Take the meat off the bone, chop and add to the pot. Discard any skin and connective tissue.
• Add the shredded mustard greens and tomatoes to the pot and simmer just until the greens are wilted, or about 10 minutes. Stir in the vinegar, sugar, salt, black pepper and green onions. Taste and adjust seasoning. Ladle into warm, shallow bowls and scatter a few celery leaves on top. Serve with cornbread and pass pepper vinegar or hot sauce at the table.