These Are the Best Peas in the South*
- Pinkeye Purple Hull: Southerners love this variety, and so did the crowd at the tasting.
- Brown Crowder: “It’s the biggest pea, and it’s the meatiest pea,” Shields says.
- Lady: If you like mashed potatoes, you’ll probably like this soft, inoffensive cream pea.
What are considered Southern peas?
Southern peas, black-eyed peas and field peas are all names for the crop known worldwide as cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata ssp. unguiculata).
When Should Southern peas be planted?
Planting: Southern peas like warm to hot growing conditions. Wait until all danger of frost is passed and the soil has warmed before planting. They grow well during relatively dry summers. For fresh peas all summer plant every 3 weeks.
Are Southern peas the same as black-eyed peas?
The southern pea, Vigna unguiculata, has its own lexicon of names. Yankees call it the cowpea, a name never heard south of the lilac–crape myrtle line. Southerners also know it as the black-eyed-pea, the pink eye pea, the purple hull pea, the cream pea or the crowder.
Are cowpeas and field peas the same?
Field peas are cowpeas, so named because they were grown as a rotational crop in the fields instead of in kitchen gardens. Dozens of different types—what we now call heirloom selections—were grown in Southern communities that valued them for their flavor and ability to flourish in local conditions.
Are crowder peas and black-eyed peas the same thing?
Crowder peas are from the same family as black-eyed peas and cowpeas. They are legumes, which is a plant with pods which contain edible seeds. Crowder peas are not only excellent for eating, but they also enrich the soil with nutrients as they grow.
Are field peas and purple hull peas the same?
The “eyed” variety of cow peas or field peas have a few close cousins, nearly twins, that include the black eyed, pink eyed (purple hull or pink ladies), and cream (Southern ladies). These peas also fall under the Carolina pea name. With so many names, it may seem a bit confusing, but they’re all field peas.
What is the best fertilizer for peas?
Peas grow best in soil with a pH between 6 and 7.5. Use well-rotted manure or compost at planting. Continuous use of high phosphorus fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 15-30-15, or high rates of manure or manure compost results in phosphorus buildup in the soil.
Do Southern peas need full sun?
Southern peas have cultural requirements similar to beans. They need warmer soil, so wait until 3-4 weeks after last frost to plant. Need full sun and a warm growing season.
How do you fertilize Southern peas?
Fertilizer. Southern peas as mentioned, are actually a bean and therefore like all beans are nitrogen fixing plants. 2 weeks before sowing apply 2-3 quarts per 100 sq feet (2.2-3.3 liters per 9.3 square meters) of All-Purpose 5-5-5 Organic Fertilizer.
What do crowder peas taste like?
They have a sweet flavor and creamy texture and are featured in Southern dishes. These cowpea varieties are delicious when cooked with smoked pork (such as tasso), onions, and garlic sauteed in butter, and dried garden herbs or Camellia Brand’s Dry Herb Blend.
Are field peas good for diabetics?
Yes, peas contain carbohydrate, but they can still be part of a diabetes eating plan. The fiber and protein content of peas is thought to help slow digestion, which, in turn, can help smooth out blood sugar levels after eating. Peas also rank low on the glycemic index scale, with a glycemic index of 22.
Are purple hull peas good for you?
“Nutritionally, southern peas {the purple hull pea is a member of the southern pea family} are a good source of protein and one of the best sources of dietary fiber available. They are also very high in folate, a form of B vitamin that is important in the prevention of anemia, cancer and birth defects.
How late can you plant cowpeas?
In most areas, cowpeas can be planted from early May to early August. Plant too early and you risk frost and low soil temperatures preventing good germination. Plant too late and you risk an early frost terminating growth too early in the cycle.
Are pink eye and purple hull peas the same?
More specifically, purple hull peas are a subspecies of cowpeas. And pinkeyes are a vining variant of purple hull peas.
What is another name for field peas?
You may find them called cowpeas or Southern peas, and varieties have colorful (memorable!) names like Rattlesnake, Zipper, Stick Up, Shanty, Turkey Craw, Queen Anne, Polecat, Hercules, Colossus, Iron Clay, Washday, Crowder, Pinkeye Purple Hull, Mississippi Silver, and Big Red Ripper.
Do you shell crowder peas?
All parts of the crowder pea—including the pod, the leaves, and the green seeds—are edible. Like butter beans, lima beans, and other beans, crowder peas contain complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber but no saturated fat or cholesterol.
Can you eat purple hull peas instead of black-eyed peas for New Years?
Most Southerners serve Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Eve for Good Luck. It typically consists of black eyed peas, rice, bacon, chopped onion and bell peppers. Substitute purple hull or pink eye purple hulls for the black eyed.
Do purple hull peas taste the same as black-eyed peas?
Purple hulls have a creamy taste, while black-eyed peas are described as more earthy. To find either fresh, you’ll need to track down a local farmer who grows them. Fresh black-eyed peas will be easier to find, but if you are lucky enough to find the purple hulls, act fast and get them while you can.
What is another name for purple hull peas?
Also known as Pinkeye Purple Hull peas, Pink-Eyed pea, and Southern peas, Purple Hull peas are close cousins to the well-known black-eyed pea but vary slightly in appearance and flavor.
Can you eat field peas raw?
The peas are edible at each stage. Snaps can be eaten raw, macerated in vinaigrette, or gently cooked, similar to haricots vert. Freshly shelled beans from mature pods should be cooked and can also be frozen for storage to good effect.