What are black-eyed peas (not the musical group)? Are they beans? Are they a vegetable? Are they nutritious?

Answer 1

Black eye peas ( not the group) are a member of the peas, beans and lentil family. They are a bean, yes they are nutritious, high in fiber, you will find that vegetarians will eat beans to help substitute the lack of protein in their diet.

Answer 2

This is a traditional New Orleans recipe for black eyed peas. You would serve it over rice with hot corn bread and butter on the side. We make them for New Years Day for good luck - and any time you wanted a delicious creole dish!

Black Eyed Peas
2 quarts. water (or chicken broth)
1 # hickory bacon, cut in pieces
1 # smoked sausage, chunked
1 smoked ham hock
2 cups diced onions
¾ cup diced celery
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon thyme
1 Tablespoon sweet basil
4 bay leaves
1 # black eyed peas
3 Tablespoons bacon drippings
Salt and black pepper to taste
6 cups cooked long-grain rice

Rinse the peas well under cold running water and set them aside to drain. In a 5-quart heavy aluminum Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid bring the two quarts of water or broth to a rapid boil. Drop into the water the bacon, smoked sausage and ham hock.

Bring the water to a slow boil and cook the meats for 15 minutes (covered) until they form a rich flavored stock. Stir in the onions, celery, garlic powder, thyme, sweet basil, and bay leaves, cover and cook over medium heat until the vegetables soften —about 15 minutes.

Stir in the black eyed peas and the bacon drippings well, making sure the mixture is uniformly blended. Bring the peas to a boil, but immediately reduce to a simmer, cover and cook until rich and creamy, stirring so they don’t stick. (dried peas take about two hours on a very low fire).

About 20 minutes before serving, sprinkle in the salt and pepper and season the peas to taste. Remember—you already have salt in the bacon as well as in the smoked sausage, so you may not need to add much more.

“Fresh” blackeyed peas, unlike the dried variety, need to be cooked for only 20 to 30 minutes before they are ready to serve.

Answer 3

Black-eyed peas are legumes and can be bought canned, frozen, or fresh. They are very nutritious and if cooked right are delicious served with cornbread or rice. They are popular in the South, where they are cooked with salt pork or ham for a few hours. I add onions, red and green peppers, and jalpeno peppers and garlic to mine for some kick. I usually serve it with a side of collard or mixed greens, rice, corn muffins, a fruit salad, and pineapple, papaya, and lime tea. Sorry for extra info.

Answer 4

I love black-eyed peas. Here in Louisiana most everyone eats them with cabbage on New Year's Day. I don't know if that's a local custom or what, but it's served in most homes in Lousiana on that day. But we eat them a lot during the year with ham or salt meat served over rice. Absoutely delicious. 2D

Answer 5

They are a bean ..but called a pea.....grown in a p[od like beans, and all..really good with ham chuncks cooked in them..heres a recipe and a picture of them cooked
http://www.ivcooking.com/p269_55.php

Answer 6

They're a bean and they are just as nutritious as any other bean.

Answer 7

Yeah they are beans and I actually find them the tastiest of all the beans.

Answer 8

Beans.Veg. very good 4 u. I season mine with ,ham bone, or ham hocks, or smoked turkey necks,like that.E me,i'll give you the best recipe.