The Black Eyed Pea....and no I'm not talking about Fergie and her band mates, that funny looking little bean that we have grown to love, makes us ask the question what else can you do with them besides throw them into a pot?
Now, just like my previous offering, I thought I would share a little history and tradition about our little friend the Legume:
ORIGIN
The Black Eyed Pea (BEP) is related to the "mung" bean of ancient India. The Romans actually liked them better than the chickpea for their staple starch. (Chickpeas as you know are the staple ingredient in Hummus). Ok, so I can hear you already, I don't live in India, or Rome, how did they get to my table? Well, they were first introduced into the Virginias, the Carolinas and Florida in the Early 17th century. Brought over on slave ships by the Europeans. The modest ground pea eventually migrated as far west as Texas and is a staple in southern soul food. These little nuggets are extremely high in Calcium and Vitamin A.
WESTERN TRADITION
New Years Tradition
Eating them on New Years as the story goes will bring you prosperity throughout the next year. The tradition actually comes from an old Jewish tradition dating all the way back to the early 1730's then adopted by western culture still today. Another story says that Union troops were told to strip the land of all usable food, but left the "field peas" (because they were only suitable for wild animals and livestock) so the slaves of the south would collect the peas and eat them. They called them their "lucky beans". Regardless which story you believe, the tradition has lasted for centuries since. The beans were meant to symbolize "the coins" and eating braised greens with them symbolized "paper money".
LET'S EAT
In the south the peas are not served just on New Years, it's a staple on many menus reaching from Texas to Florida, and even as far north as Pennsylvania. They are most commonly served as a side accompaniment, however partnering the peas as an entree with fresh baked cornbread, and a side of braised greens has been considered a religious experience, if you have never tried it. Typically the blackeyed peas are soaked overnight, then cooked with some form of pork fat like "fatback", pork belly, pork cheeks, pork shank, or even bacon. (We covered this in my debut blog, about how bacon makes everything better.)
East Texas through Louisiana and into Mississippi, you'll find a dish called Hoppin Johns (black eyed Peas, Rice and sausage ). Now each region's recipe is different, this is because the farther south you go, the more "spice" that is added. Actually in the French Canadian south they were commonly referred to as "Mogette" (French for "Nun"- the center black dot was meant to represent the nuns headwear). Just giving the facts....
Most Blackeyed Peas are served hot, unless your a Texan. Everything is bigger in Texas right? Well Texas takes this common pea and pulls the "ole switch-a-roo" and actually serves it cold...What?...yep! They call it Texas Caviar- (cold peas, Italian dressing, red onion, chopped garlic and even sometimes a little cilantro and fresh squeezed lime juice).
So now you've made this big pot of black-eyed peas on New Years, your guest have had their fill, now your staring at the leftovers that remain. I know what your thinking, once I cool these down, stick them in the fridge, now what? Unless you are a Black eyed pea fiend, you gotta figure out something else to do with the leftovers. Here are a few ideas you could do to utilize your leftovers or run as a special.
Twist on a Waldorf salad- just add cold and rinsed beans to your classic favorite.
Corn & Pea relish - BEP's, fire roasted corn kernel, diced red onion, diced poblano, chopped garlic, shredded cilantro fresh squeezed lime juice and S&P.
Moroccan beef and bean - Braised beef short ribs seasoned with cumin, coriander, ginger, cilantro, cinnamon and paprika. Braised with diced red onions and tomatoes. Fold in leftover BEP's.
Garlic shrimp with flavored broth and black-eyed peas - Sautéed garlic and spiced shrimp, add in a flavor builder like Saffron, or mixed Chili's, then add in BEP's.
Twisted BEP Hummus - Replace chickpeas with BEP's, add Tahini, lemon juice, garlic (and any additional flavor builders you like) - pure smooth, and serve.
Wishing you all a very prosperous New year...."Until we eat again"
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