Southern Black-Eyed Peas

Southern Black-Eyed Peas are a classic dish often enjoyed on New Year’s Day in the Southern United States. According to tradition, eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day brings good luck and prosperity for the year ahead. This simple and flavorful recipe allows you to prepare delicious black-eyed peas in a slow cooker, making it convenient and easy to enjoy this traditional dish.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound (455 g) dried black-eyed peas
• 4 cups (955 ml) water
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup (160 g) chopped onion
• ½ cup (50 g) chopped celery
• ½ pound (255 g) ham, cut into pieces

PREPARATION:

1. Place the dried black-eyed peas in a large bowl and cover them with water. Allow the peas to soak overnight. This helps to soften them and reduce the cooking time.
2. Drain the soaked black-eyed peas and transfer them to a slow cooker.
3. Add water, pepper, chopped onion, chopped celery, and the ham pieces to the slow cooker with the black-eyed peas. Stir everything together to ensure the ingredients are well combined.
4. Cover the slow cooker and cook the black-eyed peas on high heat for 1 to 2 hours. This initial high heat helps to kickstart the cooking process.
5. After 1 to 2 hours, reduce the heat to low and continue cooking the black-eyed peas for an additional 8 to 9 hours. The long and slow cooking allows the flavors to meld together and the peas to become tender and creamy.
6. Once the black-eyed peas are cooked to your desired tenderness, taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add additional salt or pepper according to your preference.
7. Serve the Southern Black-Eyed Peas over rice and pair them with cornbread for a classic and satisfying Southern meal.

YIELD: 6 servings

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:

• 265 g water
• 175 calories (19% from fat, 33% from protein, 48% from carbs)
• 15 g protein
• 4 g total fat
• 1 g saturated fat
• 2 g monounsaturated fat
• 1 g polyunsaturated fat
• 21 g carbs
• 5 g fiber
• 5 g sugar
• 186 mg phosphorus
• 34 mg calcium
• 2 mg iron
• 420 mg sodium
• 479 mg potassium
• 99 IU vitamin A
• 0 mg ATE vitamin E
• 4 mg vitamin C
• 15 mg cholesterol

TIP: Serve the Southern Black-Eyed Peas over rice and pair them with cornbread for a traditional and satisfying meal. The combination of the creamy black-eyed peas, flavorful ham, and fluffy rice is a perfect match. The cornbread adds a nice texture and complements the dish beautifully.

Southern Black-Eyed Peas are a beloved dish, especially on New Year’s Day, as they are believed to bring good luck and prosperity. With this slow cooker recipe, you can enjoy the flavorful and comforting taste of black-eyed peas without much effort.

By soaking the dried black-eyed peas overnight, you ensure that they cook evenly and become tender. The slow cooker method allows the flavors to develop slowly, resulting in a delicious and satisfying dish. The combination of black-eyed peas, ham, onion, celery, and seasonings creates a rich and savory flavor profile that is sure to please your taste buds.

Once the black-eyed peas are cooked to perfection, you can serve them over rice for a hearty and filling meal. The rice acts as a neutral base, allowing the flavors of the black-eyed peas to shine. Pairing the dish with cornbread adds a delightful contrast in texture and a touch of sweetness.

These Southern Black-Eyed Peas are not only tasty but also nutritious. They provide a good amount of protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. The peas are a great source of plant-based protein, making this dish suitable for vegetarians and vegans when the ham is omitted or substituted.

This recipe yields six servings, making it perfect for a small gathering or as a side dish for a larger meal. If you have leftovers, they can be stored in the refrigerator and enjoyed the next day. The flavors tend to develop and intensify even more after sitting overnight.

So, whether you’re observing a New Year’s tradition or simply craving a comforting and flavorful meal, these Southern Black-Eyed Peas are a wonderful choice. With their delicious taste, easy preparation in a slow cooker, and the potential for good luck, these black-eyed peas are sure to become a favorite dish in your home. Enjoy this classic Southern recipe and savor the flavors of the South.