If you haven’t yet stocked up on some black eyed peas for the upcoming New Year celebration, you’d better hurry up. Black eyed peas on New Years day are about as traditional as a champagne toast at midnight. And while most people know about black eyed peas as an annual food tradition, many people don’t know the history behind the tradition and why black eyed peas became a thing in the U.S.
Black eyed peas took root in America in the 17th century in Florida and the Carolinas. In the early 1900s, George Washington Carver made a case for planting more black eyed peas because they’re healthy, easy to grow, and add nitrogen to the soil where they’re planted. So you can thank Carver for really getting the ball rolling with black eyed peas. But, that still doesn’t help you cook them, so when you’re planning your menu for New Years, use these tips for how to cook black eyed peas.
How to Cook Black Eyed Peas
Start by rinsing beans under cool water to get rid of any dirt or debris. Put beans in a saucepan and add cool water – the water should cover the beans. Cover saucepan and heat beans over high heat until they begin to boil; continue boiling for 3-4 minutes. Turn off heat and let the beans sit in the hot water for one hour. You may need to leave them in slightly longer – they should be soft enough that you can slide the pointy part of a fork in them. Once they’re ready, strain the water out of the beans and add them back into the pan.
Now you’re ready to add stuff! Most people traditionally cook black eyed peas with ham – or pieces of bacon – but you can also add onions, garlic, and bay leaves too. Add these things to the beans and heat to a boil. Once the beans are boiling, reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Serve them warm.
How to Cook Black Eyed Peas in a Slow Cooker
Another popular way to cook black eyed peas is to cook them in a slow cooker. The benefit is that you can throw all of the ingredients into a slow cooker, turn it on, leave it to cook for 8 hours, and then enjoy it when you get home from work. To start, add a pound 1 cup of dried black peas, 6 cups of water, 1 cube of chicken bouillon, 3 diced garlic cloves, 1 small diced onion, 4 slices of chopped bacon pieces, 1/2 tsp of salt, 1/2 tsp of cumin, and 1 tsp of black pepper.
Mix all of the ingredients well and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours (or until you get home).
