Stewed Field Peas Recipes

HOPPIN' JOHN RECIPE

Steps:

• In a 5-quart Dutch oven, combine ham hock, bay leaves, and quartered onion, and top with 3 quarts of water. Set over high heat, bring to a boil, then cook at a boil for 5 minutes. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle boil, cover with the lid slightly ajar, and cook until the ham hock is fork-tender, about 3 hours; top up with boiling water as needed to keep the ham hock covered. Discard bay leaves. Transfer ham hock and onion to a heatproof plate or bowl to cool. Measure 2 quarts (1.9L) broth and return it to the Dutch oven; save any remaining broth for another use.
• Pull ham hock meat and skin from the bones. Roughly chop up any larger pieces, then return meat, skin, and bones along with the onion to the pot.
• Drain field peas from soaking water, rinse, and add to the pot.
• Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Set over high heat and return to a boil. Lower heat to maintain a gentle boil, cover with the lid slightly ajar, and cook until peas are al dente, about 45 minutes. About 15 minutes before peas are al dente, preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Add parboiled rice to pot, stir to combine, then return to a full boil over high heat and cook for 1 minute, then turn off heat.
• Stir the pot well to incorporate the ingredients, cover fully with lid, and cook in oven for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes.
• Fluff with a fork, and serve right away.

STEWED FIELD PEAS

Steps:

• Place the bacon and olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat and cook and stir until the bacon is crisp, about 4 minutes. Add the onion and cook and stir for another 3 minutes, until soft and translucent.
• Meanwhile, rinse and drain the peas, discarding any blemished peas or bits of pod. When the onion is cooked, place the peas in the pan and add the water. Add the butter, chile pepper, sage, salt, and black pepper and stir to mix. Bring to a low boil and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook until the peas are tender, 20 to 25 minutes, skimming the foam as it rises to the top of the cooking liquid. Remove from the heat, season with additional salt and black pepper, if desired, and serve warm.
• When Southerners mention peas, nine times out of ten they are talking about fresh field peas, not the ubiquitous green peas in the frozen food aisle of the grocery store. The term field pea is a catchall used to refer to hundreds of varieties with names that range from journalistic (black-eyed, pink-eyed, and purple hull), to Southern gothic (Dixie Lees, lady peas, and Old Timers). Hardy and drought tolerant, they are also perfectly suited to the climate of the South. Unlike sugar snap and English peas, which can be eaten raw or cooked, pod and all, field peas must be shelled and cooked prior to serving. Field peas differ subtly in flavor from variety to variety, but they are uniformly delicious, with a robust, nutty flavor and an addictively creamy finish.