THE BEST PEAS!

These are the BEST black eyed peas. Tomorrow Black Eyed Pea Soup---this is where you start though!

1. 1 lb dried black eyed peas


2. 1/2 # salt pork A MUST


3. 1 onion-chopped


4. 1/2 cup chopped celery, leaves to


5. 2 cloves garlic, minced


6. 1 t salt


7. 1 T. seasoned pepper


8. 1/2 T. Worcestershire


9. 1/2 t. Tabasco

Pick out the bad peas first---important!

Soak the peas in water to cover 4-5 hours or overnight. While peas are soaking, cut salt pork into 3-4 pieces. Put pork in a large pot with 1/2 qt of cold water and simmer with lid ajar for 2 hours adding more water if necessary. Remove from heat and add 1/2 more quart of cold water and let come to room temperature. When peas are ready, add to salt pork mixture and simmer 15 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and simmer covered for about 2 hours or until peas are tender, but not mushy. Adding peas to cold water keeps them from having tough shells.

This will feed 10+ people.