How To Cook Fresh Zipper Peas

Super simple but big on flavor zipper peas are an irresistible southern classic side dish.

How to cook fresh zipper peas. For centuries a staple of southern cookery zipper peas are freshest in the early summer and into the fall and are generally sold in their pods. How to cook fresh peas. Add the peas and enough water to cover the peas. Add the peas stock and ham hock.

Freshly picked and liberated from their pods with a swift motion zipper peas provide a good but mild flavored source of protein. Zipper peas cook up tender and creamy but even fresh ones are dry enough to require a bit of fat such as bacon drippings to help bring out their soft texture and delicate taste. When i would buy pink eyed peas from one of my favorite vendors at the forysth farmers market in savannah. Zipper crowder sadandy whippoorwill purple hull zipper lady turkey craw and mississippi silver.

Cook until the bacon starts to render some fat and the onions are translucent. They derive the name zipper because the peas pop out of a pod that looks as if it has been unzipped. Zipper peas aka cream peas are a southern pea belonging to the black eye and pink eye pea family. You may find zipper peas for sale locally fresh or in your grocers freezer.

The time depends on the type and size of the peas. Originating in africa the peas are grown primarily in the warm climate of the southern states. I bet you could freeze them without the water from the bath but like your mom you should blanch them first. Southern zipper peas recipe.

Full of summery goodness zipper peas sometimes called cream peas are just one type of southern pea often referred to as cowpeas or field peas. Rinse the fresh peas and let them drain in a colander for a moment. The water should be about 12 inch above the peas. Add onions celery and carrot and cook stirring occasionally until soft and onion is translucent about 10 minutes.

If you dont want to risk a whole seasons worth of peas try a couple of bags using the new method and freeze the rest the way youve always done it. Add some salt and lots of pepper. Healthy easy to make and inexpensive are a few reasons to try this dish. They come in just as many forms and names as there are ways to eat them.

Zipper cream peas are totally new to me i must try them. Without a doubt your little wooden recipe box or whizz bang techno recipe ipad or computer device should have southern zipper peas. Add the chopped bacon onion and garlic to a large pot.