Smoky ham hocks enrich the broth, yielding a delicious pot of field peas.
Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Field peas are a summer specialty in the South.
Often simmered with pork and lots of aromatics, field peas turn tender and creamy after a long simmer.
Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
They’re delicious alongside other Southern summer favorites, likefried okra,squash casserole, andgrilled pork chops.
Learn more about field peas and how they’re cooked.
Plus, get great ideas for what to serve with them.
Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
What Are Field Peas?
Despite their name, field peas are actually beans.
Those are field peas.
Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Dried field peas are also available year-round, but few varieties are dried for long-term storage.
A few favorites include Crowder Peas, Lady Peas, and Zipper Peas.
That saves you a step in the process.
Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
The only thing you may have to seek out is the fresh field peas themselves.
Check your local farmers' market for those.
You’ll need to plan ahead a bit before you want to eat these.
Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
Field peas do need several hours to cook.
Top with a spoonful ofpepper jelly, and everyone will be thrilled.
But of course, field peas are great with summer favorites likeribsandsmoked chicken.
Credit:Will Dickey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn
They’ll last up to one week if stored properly.
it’s possible for you to freeze cooked field peas, too.
To thaw them, move the container to the fridge overnight.
Reheat in the microwave, or warm up in a saucepan with some stock.
How To Reheat Field Peas
Leftover field peas are often even better than day-one field peas.
The peas have had a chance to soak up more flavor.
So if you have leftover field peas, treasure them.
1teaspoonkosher salt
1teaspoonground black pepper
Directions
Cook ham hocks:
Bring hocks and 2 qt.
Add garlic; saute 1 minute.
Add peas and onion mixture to Dutch oven with ham hocks; bring to a simmer over medium heat.
Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes or until peas are tender.
Remove hocks; drain peas, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Chop ham hocks:
Remove and chop ham from hock bones; discard bones.
Stir ham into peas, if desired.
Fresh peas can go right into the pot for simmering.
Besides both being called peas, these two foods have almost nothing in common.
Delicate English peas cannot withstand those temps.
They do better in cooler environments or in early spring.
