Peas

I usually can or put up field peas, crowder peas, or early peas. I don't know about garden peas but it would probably work. I ask the farm or where ever I get the peas to shell them for me. What I usually end up with is 1 or 2 bushells of peas in a plastic grocery bag. In my kitchen, I have a two sided sink. I dump the peas in the stopped up sink and fill it with cold water. I stop up the other side and begin picking up handfuls of peas, picking out the trash (bits of shells) and transfering them to the other side. Once the other side is full of peas, I fill that with water and drain the first side. I go back and forth about 4 times to get all of the bad peas and trash out. On the stove while this is going on I have a large pot of just water set to boil. I usually fill it about half to 2/3 full. After the peas are clean, I add the peas to the boiling water. This will stop the boil. Leaving it on high I wait for the water to boil with the peas again. Let it boil for 2 minutes. This will blanch the peas. After it boils with the peas for 2 minutes, remove the pot form the burner. I have "ziploc" bags for the freezer. I use quart bags but you can use small if you wish. It just depends on the size of your family. I use a slotted spoon and tranfer just the peas to the bags. Leave the bags open on the counter until the peas completely cool. Zip them up and put them in the freezer when cool. These will keep all winter and into next year. I still have peas from last year. Now, when you cook these peas, you can do it however you like but I will tell you how I do it. At the grocery store, you can get country ham slices. These are not cooked and are very thin so you will need to put a pot on the stove and boil the ham for about 30 minutes first. This seasons the water. Take your peas from the freezer and thaw them enough to get them out of the bag. Put them in the water and bring to a boil, leaving the ham in there. After they come to a boil, reduce the heat to low. Add some salt and pepper. Here is the waiting game. Let them cook for about an hour and a half on low. Check your water. The water should cover the peas but don't fill it up. You can add more water along the way. When you are ready to serve I usually turn up the heat and let some of the water cook out. There you have it. Southern peas! If you don't have country ham I like to use bacon grease. Yes! Bacon Grease. About 2 tablespoons. The trick to this is to cook it low and long.

Day1

I'm a Southern woman from NC. I'm a wife and mother of 2. I'm trying to start a blog that has links to things I like. I work as a Paralegal in family law. I use to be in Real estate law. What can I tell you about me???Although, I'm Southern , I don't cook regularly. But I can "can" vegetables. If anyone wants, I can post the "How to" on this. In the summer I put up peas and corn. Peas are too easy and then you can eat them all winter long. There is nothing like fresh veggies! Corn is a bit harder but , "Oh my God!" it is sooo good. I learned this from my neighbor growing up. I'll try to post tomorrow the how tos! Welcome to my Blog!