Savory Black-Eyed Peas and Ham Hocks

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Happy New Year!

Bring in the New Year with a little luck with a spoonful of savory black eyed peas!

Black eyed peas are a bean that when cooked are thought to bring prosperity in the new year. Although I have heard this is a Southern United States tradition I believe it is probably celebrated around the world.

All it takes is to consume one Tablespoon full of black eyed peas for an entire year of good luck! Is it true? I can’t answer that for sure but I like to think so. I have been doing it since around 1989 and I can’t complain! LOL!

My Recipe Is The Best!

I have heard so many friends say they don’t like black eyed peas but the truth is, I don’t think they have tried a good black-eyed pea recipe…like mine!

I can honestly say I too was not fond of black eyed peas until I personally started making them myself.

This recipe I share with you today is one I have been making since around 1990 and let me tell you…this is some good stuff!

Gardening

If you are into gardening I highly recommend growing your own black eyed peas aka cowpeas.

Why grow your own peas? For one thing it is super super easy. So easy I planted mine in a planter box. Yep, just plant them in the late spring, let them grow and forget about them until it’s time to harvest. Actually pick them when they are dried on the vine.

Cowpeas produce in higher heat, humidity, and drier conditions than other beans. Plants are bushy and occasionally semi-vining, producing 6″–8″ pods and they are disease resistant!

One harvest of cowpeas can last me two years since I only make black eyed peas once or twice a year.

I keep my dried beans in a jar. Every time I open the jar they have this fresh home grown pea smell. It is wonderful. You sure can’t get that from a bag of beans bought at the grocery store.

You don’t have to grow your own beans it is only a recommendation. If you decide you want to give it a try and grown your own cowpeas/black eyed peas then get your bean seeds here.

Black Eyed Peas and Ham Hocks Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 pound black eye peas
• 5 cups water
• 2 smoked ham hocks
• 5 Tablespoons butter
• 3 teaspoons chicken soup base
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste when serving
• Serve with cornbread (optional)

Directions:

Remove beans from bag and remove any beans that are imperfect and discard.

Place beans in a colander and rinse under cool water. Place beans in a slow cooker (6 quart size is fine). There is no need to pre-soak beans.

Add water, chopped onion, ham hocks, butter, pepper and soup base. Turn the slow cooker to high and cover with lid. Cook for approximately 6 hours or until beans are soft and meat easily pulls apart from bones.

Note: the water may not cover the ham hocks completely and that is okay. After about an hour of cooking flip the ham hocks over. I usually flip them about 4 times during the cooking process.

While the beans are cooking check on them a few times and make sure they are covered in water. If the beans are poking up out of the water add enough water to just cover the beans.

Hey, did you check out that wooden spoon? That is what my doggies got me for Christmas. Wasn’t that nice of them?! It is a personalized spoon. I love it! I believe you can have it engraved to say whatever you want. Mine says Jett’s Kitchen! Pretty cool huh? You can get one for yourself or as a gift for someone else here.

Wrapping It Up!

Once the beans are soft and the meat has pulled away from the bone remove bones from slow cooker and discard. Cut or tear meat apart and leave in with the beans.

For when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve for good luck dish up a small bowl or whatever size bowl you desire and enjoy.

And if you don’t like black eye peas at least get a Tablespoon and down it (lol). We all could use a little luck don’t you think?

Serve with cornbread and Enjoy! Happy New Year!

I AM EXCITED THAT YOU ARE VIEWING JETT’S SAVORY BLACK EYED PEA RECIPE AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE HOW IT TURNS OUT SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO MAKE IT! BE SURE TO USE THE HASHTAG ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

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