Southern Lady Cream Peas & Bacon

How to cook fresh Lady Cream Peas seasoned with onions, garlic, bacon, salt & peppers and bouillon. Serve with Hot Water Cornbread on the side. 

Here in the south we enjoy all sorts of peas, black eyed peas, purple hull, crowder peas, zipper peas and lady cream peas. Isn't it funny how different areas enjoy different varieties of peas and beans.? There are several bean varieties up North that I haven't heard of, but then they're are several beans here in the south that people are unaware of up North.

In the end it's all due to different climates. Certain beans and peas grow best in cooler areas and others thrive in the heat of the deep south. All the peas that I love are here in the south, but I would love to try all the different varieties from other ares. 

Last weekend on our visit to the local peach farm I found some Lady Cream Peas. Can you believe I have never had cream peas!  Well maybe I have and I just don't remember, but I do know I have never cooked them. I stopped one of the ladies that worked at the store and asked. What are cream peas? She said cream peas are similar to purple hull peas, but much creamier and softer. Hmm they sound like purple hull peas.  

While I was checking out the same lady came up and asked me if I bought some of those cream peas. I told her oh goodness I had forgotten about them, but I would be returning to the store later in the week and I could pick some up then. I had already paid for all my items and I turned around and she stuck a bag of those peas in my sack. 

She told me here's a little treat for you on the house. Goodness, I told her thank you and that she didn't have to do that. She said yes I did because you gotta try them I guarantee you're going to love em. Well, she was right I do love them. In fact I think i love them more than purple hull peas. They have a creamy taste but the beans are not mushy.

I prepared them the same way I cook my purple hull peas, with lots of onions, garlic and bacon. If you have access to fresh lady cream peas I highly recommend picking some up. because they are so good. You can find fresh peas as just about any farmers market or road side stand in the summer. Let's get started on the recipe. 

First rinse the peas under cold water and drain. 

In a large skillet add the bacon, onion and garlic and saute until the bacon starts to render some fat and the onions are translucent in color (do not drain). Add the peas and cover with water to at least a 1/2 inch above the peas. Add salt, pepper, and a one chicken bouillon cube. Bring the peas to a boil (skimming off any foam that forms), then reduce heat and simmer until the peas are tender but still just a tiny bit firm. 

Season with additional salt and pepper and serve.  Serve as a side with meat and cornbread or with fresh garden tomato slices and hot water cornbread. 

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