Purple hull peas are one of our favorites at home because we love how hearty these vegetables are.
They offer a great balance between sweet and savory flavors that pair well with just about anything.
- This recipe is for a southern classic, purple hull peas. These peas are slow-cooked with bacon, onions, and garlic until they are tender and flavorful.
What Is Your Favorite Recipe For Purple Hull Peas?
I have never met anyone who doesn’t like purple hull peas.
The flavor is so rich and delicious that it pairs perfectly with all kinds of other foods.
I don’t know if there was ever a time when people didn’t eat them!
If you enjoy cooking with these beans, then you will definitely want to try this simple but amazing dish.
It features bacon, onion, and garlic and is perfect for summertime meals.
What Are The Ingredients In Your Favorite Purple Hull Peas Recipe?
There’s no set formula to make a delicious, satisfying dish from these nutritious veggies.
But there are some commonalities that help you build on the base flavor profile of each recipe.
One thing that seems to be consistent across all recipes is that it should contain plenty of onion, garlic, and seasoning such as salt, pepper, hot sauce, or any other spice blend you like.
Some people prefer using fresh herbs when preparing this vegetable while others go with dried spices.
The choice depends entirely upon what kind of flavor combination you want.
You can even use both fresh and dried herbs together if you wish.
The most important part of every purple hull pea recipe is to cook them long enough so that the moisture cooks off and dries up.
If you cook them too fast, the texture will become mushy.
If you don’t cook them enough, the peas will remain waterlogged.
Once you have everything prepped, you are ready to start cooking!
How Do You Prepare Purple Hull Peas For Cooking?
The first step to preparing this dish is peeling and deveining the beans.
Purple hull peas have tough skins that need to be removed before cooking.
You can use a paring knife or vegetable peeler to remove them easily.
Once the pods are peeled, cut each pod into halves so that you get two equal portions from each pod.
Use a sharp knife or kitchen scissors to carefully open up the pods and then discard any seeds inside.
Once all the seeds are removed, rinse the pods under cold water to wash away any remaining dirt and debris.
Next, trim off the ends of the pods by cutting them right above where the stem meets the pod.
Next, slice down through the middle of the pod to make it flat on both sides.
If there are strings attached to the pod, pull those off as well.
To clean out any residual stringy bits left behind, soak the pod in boiling water for 5 minutes and drain it thoroughly.
Rinse the cleaned pod again with fresh water and set aside.
Now that the pods are ready, it’s time to cook them!
What Is The Cooking Time For Purple Hull Peas?
You can find out how long it takes to cook this dish by using an instant read thermometer.
The cooking times below are based on a medium setting in a pressure cooker.
Depending on your stovetop or oven size, you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
For example, if you have a larger pot than the ones listed here, you will probably need more time to get them done.
If you don’t have an instant read thermometer, you can use a meat thermometer instead.
Just make sure that whatever type of thermometer you choose is inserted into the thickest part of the pea pod.
In addition to checking the temperature of the food, you should also pay attention to its color.
When the peas start turning brown after being removed from the heat source, then it means that they are fully cooked.
You can finish off the rest of the cooking process yourself with some stirring every now and again.
Here are all the various ways you can eat purple hull peas.
Keep reading to learn what makes these vegetables so special!
1. Boiled Purple Hull Peas
These boiled purple hull peas are perfect as a side dish when serving hot dogs or burgers.
Simply boil them whole before removing them from the water with a slotted spoon.
Once you remove the pods from the boiling liquid, drain them and enjoy them warm.
Serve them plain, seasoned with salt, or add any other spices that appeal to you.
2. Fried Purple Hull Peas
If you want to serve fried purple hull peas, you must first soak them overnight in cold water.
Then, once soaked, drain them thoroughly before frying them up in oil.
To fry them quickly, use two bowls.
Fill each bowl with 1/4 cup (60 ml) of vegetable oil and place 2 tablespoons of dried purple hull peas in each bowl.
Heat the oil on high until bubbles begin forming around the edges of the bowl.
Remove the bowl from the burner and let the peas sit for 10 minutes.
Afterward, drain the peas and serve immediately.
3. Sauteed Purple Hull Peas
To sauteed purple hull peas, simply cut the pods open and remove the seeds.
Then, either dry roast or pan fry the empty pods over low heat until lightly charred.
Alternatively, you can microwave them for 5–10 seconds per side.
4. Baked Purple Hull Peas
Baked purple hull peas require less work than most other methods.
All you have to do is wash the pods and pop them straight onto the baking sheet.
Bake them in the oven until golden.
After 15 minutes, flip them over and bake for another 15 minutes.
Make sure you keep an eye on them during the entire cooking period.
It’s easy to overcook this dish.
5. Stuffed Purple Hull Peas
For stuffed purple hull peas, you will need to preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).
Wash the pods and cut away their outer layer.
Next, fill them with stuffing made of breadcrumbs, cheese, egg, milk, or cream.
Season them with salt and pepper.
Wrap them tightly and bake them in the oven for 20 minutes.
Afterwards, take them out and let them cool down slightly before opening them.
What Is The Best Way To Cook Purple Hull Peas?
There are many different ways you can prepare this vegetable.
You’ll find it in everything from soups to casseroles and even salads.
It’s also common to see it as an ingredient in sauces or side dishes like macaroni and cheese.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to preparing them!
What Are Some Tips For Cooking Purple Hull Peas?
When it comes to cooking purple hull peas, there’s no right or wrong way to prepare them.
The only thing I would suggest doing is making sure your pan is hot enough before adding any ingredients.
If you don’t have a super high heat setting on your stovetop, then use something like a skillet instead.
You can also preheat your oven if needed, but keep in mind this will take longer than if you had used a smaller pot or pan.
How Do You Know When Purple Hull Peas Are Done Cooking?
The key to making sure your purple hull pea pods get tender enough to be eaten is the timing.
You want them to cook long enough so that they’re soft but not mushy.
The longer they cook, the more flavor develops in the pods.
However, it takes time!
If you rush through this process, then you may end up with undercooked pods or overcooked ones.
To help ensure that your purple hull peas reach their peak, here are some general guidelines on what to expect during the cooking process.
When the pods have opened
If you don’t see any visible signs of opening after 24 hours,
then there might still be some life left inside the pod.
It could take another day or two before they open completely.
Don’t worry if you can’t see much movement from within the pod.
Just give the pods a little shake every few days to check for signs of expansion.
At the 3/4 mark
After three days, the purple hull peas should start showing signs of expansion.
They will likely expand by about half an inch (1 cm) each day.
At this point, you can stop checking for signs of further expansion.
Now, all you need to do is wait until the pods soften up. Once the pods are fully expanded, the taste and texture will improve as well.
Once they start to turn yellowish
As soon as the pods become slightly translucent, it means that the cooking process has come to its final stages.
When you poke a hole into a pod, you should see a small amount of liquid seep out.
If the water doesn’t seem very runny, then the pods are almost ready.
If the water comes gushing out, however, then there isn’t much left inside.
What Are Some Common Mistakes People Make When Cooking Purple Hull Peas?
When preparing the ingredients in this recipe, it’s important to remember that there might be variations depending on what region you live in or where your ancestors come from.
For example, if you have access to fresh tomatoes, you should definitely use them instead of canned ones.
Also, if you want to add more flavor to your dish, try adding additional spices like cayenne pepper, black pepper, or chili powder.
If you don’t mind using frozen corn, then by all means throw it into your pot of beans!
What Are Some Ways To Jazz Up A Plain Purple Hull Peas Recipe?
There’s no need to stick to the traditional way of preparing this vegetable if you don’t like it.
Purple hull peas can be prepared in so many different ways – from adding them to soups to salads to using them as an ingredient in other dishes.
You may even want to try making homemade frozen treats out of these yummy little pods!
Here are some fun ideas on how to jazz up your usual purple hull pea dish:
Add them to soup or stew
Adding purple hull peas to a pot of soup will give you a burst of flavor without any extra time spent chopping and dicing.
If you have leftover turkey meat, add a cup of cubed meat to the pot along with the peas.
Make quick bread stuffing
You can also use these tiny white beans as part of a delicious bread stuffing recipe.
To do this, simply cook the bread cubes in boiling water until slightly softened then drain off all excess moisture before mixing in the remaining ingredients.
Make sure to taste test the final product to ensure that the seasoning, salt, pepper, and seasonings are correct.
Use them as filler in tacos or quesadillas
If you want something more substantial than a bowl of purple hull peas, why not try topping your taco filling with a small amount of these tasty morsels?
For a simple quesadilla, layer half of a tortilla with shredded cheese followed by a sprinkling of diced tomatoes, a spoonful of sour cream, and a few tablespoons of the cooked purple hull peas.
Top everything off with another tortilla slice and bake until golden brown.
Try your hand at fried green tomatoes
Fried green tomato sandwiches aren’t just a Southern delicacy; they’re enjoyed across America.
The idea behind these delectable sandwiches is to create a dish similar to French toast by frying slices of fresh tomato topped with cinnamon sugar.
Once sliced, place each piece into a shallow pan filled with enough oil to cover the top surface area of the tomatoes but not too much oil so that once the tomatoes float to the top, the rest of their juice doesn’t leak out.
Fry the tomatoes over medium heat until golden brown on both sides.
Serve immediately while still hot.
Garnish roasted chicken breasts
When roasting chicken, there’s nothing better than having a side dish to compliment the main course.
Try garnishing your roasted chickens with sautéed onion rings, mushrooms, or spinach leaves.
Another option would be to serve mashed potatoes with the bird.
Just make sure to remove the skin before cooking the potatoes.
Mix them into salad dressing
For added flair, toss raw purple hull peas into dressings such as ranch or blue cheese.
Not only does this combination look beautiful, but it tastes wonderful as well.
What Are Some Of Your Favorite
When it comes to cooking this dish, the amount of time you cook them depends on what you like best – either crunchy or creamy.
It’s pretty easy to make both so there isn’t much of a difference in which way you prefer them.
If you want more of a creamy texture, however, try adding cream when you add milk (just be sure not to boil off too much liquid).
Equipment
- 1 Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 pound Purple Hull Pea
- ½ pound Okra
- 1 Bell Pepper
- 2 tablespoon Ghee
- 1 pound Pork Neck bones
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 3 ribs Celery
- 1 med Yellow Onion
- 4 tablespoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon All Spice
- 2 whole Bay Leaves
- Herbs
- 2 cups Chicken Stock
- 1 cup Water
- ¼ cup Vinegar
Instructions
- Large saucepan with oil over medium heat. Brown the neck bones on both sides after adding them. Take out and place aside.
- Add onions and sauce from 3 to 5 minutes. For a another minute, add the celery and garlic. Add one-fourth of the spice mixture (paprika, all spice, salt, and pepper). Mix well.
- Add a little more of the spice mixture along with the diced bell pepper. After cooking for 1–2 minutes, thoroughly combine with the okra.
- Add extra seasoning along with the beans, fresh herbs, stock, and water. Re-add the neck bones to the saucepan after a thorough mixing. Everything should be brought to a boil before being covered and simmered. Depending on the texture you want, cook for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Eliminate the stalks and herbs. Add the vinegar five minutes before finishing. Stir, then plate.
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.