Purple Hull Peas Me Please!

Purple Hull Peas: A Southern Summer Favorite! 🫛☀️

When summer arrives in the South, purple hull peas are one crop many families look forward to seeing on the table.

At Bunny’s Love Farm, we love growing foods that are not only fresh and nutritious but also connected to the traditions and flavors of our community. Purple hull peas certainly fit the bill!

Despite their name, purple hull peas aren’t actually peas like green garden peas. They belong to the cowpea family and are closely related to black-eyed peas. Their name comes from the beautiful purple color that develops on their pods as they mature.

🫛 Why Add Purple Hull Peas to Your Plate?

Purple hull peas provide several important nutrients and can be a great addition to a balanced meal.

They provide:

• Plant-based protein

• Dietary fiber

• Folate

• Iron

• Potassium

• Other vitamins and minerals

The combination of protein and fiber also makes peas a hearty addition to a meal.

Pair them with fresh vegetables, whole grains, or other farm-fresh produce for a delicious Southern plate.

Fresh Ways to Enjoy Purple Hull Peas

For many of us, the traditional pot of peas is still hard to beat! But there are several ways to enjoy them.

Try purple hull peas:

• Simmered with onions and seasonings

• Served alongside fresh cornbread

• Mixed with tomatoes, peppers, and corn

• Added to soups and stews

• Tossed into a cold summer pea salad

• Served over brown rice

• Added to a vegetable bowl

• Cooked with other fresh garden vegetables

And don’t forget the pot liquor—that flavorful broth left behind after cooking a pot of peas!

How to Store Fresh Purple Hull Peas

If you purchase purple hull peas still in their pods, keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to shell them.

After shelling, fresh peas should also be kept refrigerated and cooked within a few days for the best quality.

Have more than you can eat?

Purple hull peas can also be frozen for later, allowing you to enjoy a taste of summer even after the growing season has ended.

🫛 Southern-Style Purple Hull Peas

You don’t need a long list of ingredients to make a flavorful pot of fresh peas.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh shelled purple hull peas

• 4 cups water or low-sodium broth

• ½ onion, chopped

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• Black pepper to taste

• Small pinch of salt

• 1 teaspoon olive oil

• Optional: chopped bell pepper or other favorite seasonings

Directions

1. Sort through the peas and remove any damaged peas or debris.

2. Rinse thoroughly under clean running water.

3. Place the peas in a pot with the water or broth.

4. Add the chopped onion, garlic, and olive oil.

5. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer.

6. Cook until the peas are tender, stirring occasionally.

7. Add black pepper and a small amount of salt to taste.

8. Serve warm with your favorite vegetables or a piece of cornbread.

Farm tip: You can add fresh tomatoes, peppers, or corn near the end of cooking for even more garden-fresh flavor.

A Little Southern Tradition on Your Plate 🌱

Purple hull peas are more than another summer vegetable. For many Southern families, shelling and cooking peas brings back memories of gardens, grandparents, family gatherings, and big summer meals.

Growing foods like purple hull peas gives us an opportunity to keep those traditions going while introducing another generation to fresh, locally grown food.

At Bunny’s Love Farm, that’s something we believe is worth growing.

So grab a bowl, start shelling, and enjoy one of the South’s summertime favorites—fresh purple hull peas! 🫛☀️

Bunny’s Love Farm
Saving our planet for the next generation!