What are Southern Peas?
The Southern pea family includes Blackeyed Peas, Cream Peas, Field Peas, and Purple Hull Peas. These peas provide hearty taste in a low-fat, high-protein, high-fiber package. Southern Peas are grown mainly in the Southern states, as they are very susceptible to cold weather. They blossom in shades of purple, yellow, and white and are known for their attractive leaves. Pods hang down or thrust up and out from the stems, changing color as they mature. Most Southern peas produce pods in the 6 to 7 inch range. Mature pods can be eaten whole, like snap beans or snow peas. But more commonly they are left to grow and then harvested at the “green shell” or “dry seed” stages. The green shell stage is when the peas begin to swell in the pods but they re still soft, chewable, and sweet. This is the stage at which we can our Southern pea products. The dry seed stage is when the pod is shriveled, discolored, and too dry to dent with your thumbnail. These peas can be boiled or baked.
