Marianne Martinez
Purple hull peas are a Southern delicacy that can be cooked in a variety of ways, including on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or an Instant Pot. In this article, we will focus on how to cook fresh purple hull peas in a crock pot. Fresh peas are usually available during the summer and early fall and can be found at local farmer's markets or grocery stores. Before cooking, fresh peas need to be shelled and rinsed. To cook fresh purple hull peas in a crock pot, simply add all the ingredients, such as peas, water or broth, seasonings, and meat if desired, stir well, and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours or on high for 4 hours until tender.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Purple hull peas, bacon, onion, garlic, butter, bay leaf, salt, pepper, broth, ham hock, sugar, baking soda |
| Crockpot Settings | Low for 5-7 hours or High for 4 hours |
| Preparation | Shell and rinse peas, melt butter, cook bacon and onion, add garlic, add peas and seasonings, boil, simmer |
| Storage | Store cooked peas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days |
| Freezing | Blanch fresh peas, place in airtight plastic bags, use within 6 months |
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What You'll Learn
Crockpot preparation
To cook fresh purple hull peas in a crock pot, first shell and rinse the peas. Then, add the purple hull peas, bacon, onion powder, salt, and pepper to a crock pot, stirring well. You can also add a few slices of okra for extra flavour. Next, add broth or water—enough to cover the peas by about 1 inch. If you're using a ham hock or another type of meat, add this now. Cover the crock pot and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours or on high for 4 hours, or until the peas are tender. Stir occasionally throughout the cooking process.
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Cooking time
When cooking fresh purple hull peas in a crock pot, the cooking time varies depending on the desired texture and the specific crock pot used. Here is a detailed guide to help you:
Firstly, ensure you have enough liquid to cover the peas by about 1 to 2 inches. You can use water, chicken broth, or vegetable broth. If you're using bacon, cook it in a big stockpot first and leave the grease in the pot. You can also add a smoked ham hock or smoked turkey leg for extra flavour.
Now, for the cooking times:
- For a longer cook on LOW heat, set the crock pot to 5 to 7 hours. This will result in tender, creamy peas.
- For a quicker cook on HIGH heat, set the crock pot for 4 hours.
- If you prefer your peas with a thicker, creamier consistency, simmer them on the stovetop first for about 30 minutes, then transfer them to the crock pot and cook on LOW for 5 to 6 hours.
- If you're in a real hurry, you can cook fresh peas on the stovetop alone for 20 to 30 minutes.
Remember, cooking times may vary slightly depending on your crock pot, so keep an eye on your peas to ensure they're cooked to your desired texture.
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Seasoning
Purple hull peas are a Southern delicacy and are usually cooked with meat, especially bacon. The peas are seasoned with the salt from the bacon, but you can also add a smoked ham hock, ham, or a salty piece of pork such as fatback or smoked pork chops.
If you are using bacon, cook it in a big stock pot first; you can either remove the bacon pieces or leave them in the pot, but definitely leave the grease in the pot. If you are using a ham hock, put it in with the rest of the ingredients at the beginning.
For additional seasoning, you can add onion and garlic powder, salt, pepper, and a little butter to the pot. You can also add a bay leaf, and sugar, baking soda, and pepper to taste.
If you want to add a Southern twist to your peas, add a few slices of okra to the pot.
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Broth
When cooking purple hull peas in a crock pot, you can use water or broth. The broth can be made with meat, such as bacon, ham, smoked turkey legs or wings, salt pork, pork belly, or smoked pork chops. If you are not using meat, you can use a low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth.
If you are using bacon, you can cook it in a big stockpot first and leave the grease in the pot. If you are using a ham hock, put it in with the rest of the ingredients. You can also add onion and garlic to the broth.
Fill the pot with broth so that it covers the peas by about 1 to 2 inches. If you are using a crock pot, you will need to add enough broth to cover the peas by about 2 inches.
If you are cooking on the stove, bring the broth to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to a simmer and cover the pot. Cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, checking the liquid level and adding more if needed.
If you are using a crock pot, add all the ingredients and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours or on high for 4 hours.
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Shelling and cleaning
For short-term storage, place the shelled and cleaned peas in an airtight container and refrigerate for 3 to 5 days. This method is suitable if you plan to cook the peas within a few days. However, if you want to store the peas for an extended period, you can blanch them before freezing. To blanch the peas, start by washing the shelled peas and bringing a pot of water to a rolling boil. Carefully add the peas to the boiling water and blanch them for about 2 minutes.
Prepare a bowl of ice water while the peas are blanching. After the allotted time, use a slotted spoon to transfer the peas from the boiling water to the ice water. This step helps stop the cooking process and locks in their colour and texture. Allow the peas to cool completely in the ice water for 2 to 3 minutes. Once they have cooled, drain the excess water using a colander. The peas are now ready to be portioned into airtight plastic bags and frozen. Label the bags with the date, and try to use the frozen peas within six months for the best quality. When you're ready to cook, there's no need to thaw them first—simply follow the cooking instructions provided earlier, making any necessary adjustments for frozen peas.
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Frequently asked questions
First, shell and rinse the peas. Then, add butter to a saucepan and melt it over medium-high heat. Add bacon and onion and cook for about 3 minutes. Next, add garlic and cook for another minute. Put the fresh peas in the mixture along with water or broth to cover by 1 inch, followed by the seasoning. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes. Finally, add all the ingredients to a crock pot, stirring well, and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours or high for 4 hours or until tender.
Fresh or frozen peas do not need to be soaked before cooking. However, dried peas will need to be soaked before cooking.
You can season the peas with salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder, and a bay leaf. You can also add bacon, ham hock, or smoked turkey leg for extra flavor.
You'll need just enough water or broth to cover the peas by about 1-2 inches. Make sure to keep an eye on the liquid level and add more if it gets low.
Cooked peas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
