Classic Fresh Field Peas

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. They're delicious alongside other Southern summer favorites, like fried okra, squash casserole, and grilled pork chops.

Learn more about field peas and how they're cooked. Plus, get great ideas for what to serve with them.

What Are Field Peas?

Despite their name, field peas are actually beans. They don't have much in common with English peas as the two grow in very different environments and produce very different types of "peas." Black-eyed peas? Those are field peas. Purple-hull peas? Also field peas. Snow peas? Those are peas.

Field peas are also called cowpeas, and the South is rich with many types of field peas during the summer, when the hot, dry days make ideal growing conditions for the peas. You'll find the freshest field peas during summers at farmers' markets, family gardens, or local grocery stores. Dried field peas are also available year-round, but few varieties are dried for long-term storage.

Many people are familiar with black-eyed peas—or at least the dry variety of them that's used for favorite recipes like Hoppin' John. But you can use almost any type of field pea for a big pot of peas. A few favorites include Crowder Peas, Lady Peas, and Zipper Peas.

How To Clean and Prep Field Peas

Field peas grow in pods, like the ones pictured above, but they're usually sold already shelled. That saves you a step in the process. Once you get peas, they need only be rinsed well to remove any lingering dirt before you cook with them.

Field Peas Recipe Ingredients

For this pot of fresh field peas, you'll need a few common ingredients. The only thing you may have to seek out is the fresh field peas themselves. Check your local farmers' market for those.

• Smoked ham hocks: Look for these in the meat department at the grocery store, or ask your butcher if they have any available.
• Onion: These turn silky and tender in the long simmer, and they provide a great deal of flavor to the overall dish.
• Bacon drippings: Save this morning's bacon grease, and use it for your pot of peas. Canola oil will work if you don't have the drippings.
• Garlic: This will boost the flavor of the beans and the broth.
• Fresh field peas: Any variety will do. Look for special ones like Pink-Eyed or Purple Hull Peas.
• Salt and pepper: To round out the dish's final flavor.

How To Cook Field Peas

The full recipe for field peas is below, but here's a brief recap. You'll need to plan ahead a bit before you want to eat these. Field peas do need several hours to cook.

• Step 1: Cook the ham hocks. Put the hocks in water in a Dutch oven, and bring to a boil. Simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours until the meat is tender enough to be easily cut.
• Step 2: Start the peas. While the ham hock cooks, sauté the onions in the bacon drippings until tender. Add the garlic. Once the ham is ready, add the peas and the onion mixture to the pan with the ham hock. Simmer until the peas are tender, about 45 minutes. Drain the peas.
• Step 3: Chop the ham. Take the ham hock out of the pot, remove the bone, and then chop the meat. Add the ham back to the peas, and serve.

What To Serve With Field Peas

It's not uncommon for a pot of field peas to be the star of an all-veggie plate during the summer. Top with a spoonful of pepper jelly, and everyone will be thrilled.

When the tomatoes are glorious and the corn is peak-season sweet, many people just load up their plates with sides and call it a meal. But of course, field peas are great with summer favorites like ribs and smoked chicken.

These other summer dishes are great alongside field peas:

• Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob
  
• Tennessee Onions
• Southern Skillet Cornbread
• Southern-Style Collard Greens
• Fried Green Tomatoes

How To Store Fresh Field Peas

If you have leftovers, put them in an airtight container, and store them in the fridge. They'll last up to one week if stored properly.

You can freeze cooked field peas, too. Divide the peas into smaller containers (about two cups each), and freeze them for up to 6 months. 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.

To reheat leftover field peas, you can warm them in the microwave, or put them back on the stove in a pot with some chicken broth or reserved ham both.