Purple Hull Peas: Growing, Preparing, and Preserving this Southern Favorite

Purple hull peas are easy to grow, freeze well to preserve, and make an easy side dish to any meal.

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Many southerners have fond childhood memories of shelling peas on the porch with their grandparents. Hours spent chatting in the summer heat with a bowl of purple hull peas in your lap. Leaving the day with stained fingers nails, and knowing the delicious side dish that laid ahead. Purple hull peas are a common find on southern tables. They are best accompanied by warm cornbread, a ring of sweet onion, or some sort of divine canned relish made from last year’s cucumbers or squash.

FAQS

What are purple hull peas?

Purple hull peas are in the same family as black-eyed peas. They get their name from their hull which turns a deep purple when the peas mature.

Where are purple hull peas grown?

Typically purple hull peas are grown in the southern states, but different varieties can be grown in most hardiness zones. They’re a warm weather crop.

Are purple hull peas a bush or a vining plant?

Purple hull peas can be a bush or a vine. If you are growing a vining variety, you will need a trellis for support.

Growing Purple Hull Peas

Peas are best planted in the spring after the last frost date has passed for your area. If you’re unsure what hardiness zone you live in, check out this article for more information. You want the temperature to be consistently greater than 70° F before you plant your peas. They are warm weather plants.

• Start by adding at least 3 inches of compost to your garden spot. You should also ensure your plants will have direct sunlight for at least 6 hours per day.
• Next, create raised rows to plant your peas. Do this by digging a trench around 1/2 foot deep, and the width of a standard shovel wide. Pile the dirt up on either side of your ditch to create raised rows.
• Moisten your soil prior to planting your peas. It’s very important that your soil drains well, and doesn’t hold water. Peas do no like standing water.
• Plant your peas 1 inch deep and around 3 inches apart. You may need to come back at a later date and thin out you plants. They will get very thick, and block out the sun for the weaker plants.
• I prefer to grow bush peas will require no support. However, If you are growing a vining pea you will need trellises for support of the vines.
• Harvest the peas when the hull starts to turn purple. If you wait too long the hull will dry out and the peas will also become dry. If you harvest them too soon while they are still green, they can be more difficult to shell.

Succession Planting Purple Hull Peas

Planting a row of peas two every two weeks will keep the harvest coming throughout the growing season. After harvesting a row, pull the plants up and replant to keep the succession going. Purple hull peas will typically mature around 60 days. A new layer of compost should be added between each planting. Work the compost into the soil and plant the peas according to the directions above.

Shelling Purple Hull Peas

Shelling the Peas is very easy if they are ready to harvest. Begin by snapping off both ends of the pod. You should only snap off the very tip of the pod. Next, run your thumbnail down the center of the pod where the “seam” is. This is the point where the pod meets in the center, and will open the pod to reveal the peas. After opening the pod, run your thumb down the center to remove the peas into a bowl. Repeat the process for each pod.

If you are growing a large harvest of peas, I suggest investing in a pea sheller. This will make shelling the peas a lot easier and more streamline. I personally own an electric model like this, and it works great for shelling large amounts of peas.

Preserving The Peas

Cleaning The Peas

After shelling your peas, you will need to preserve them for future eating. First you want to wash the peas. Completely cover the peas with water in a bowl. Run your hands through the peas to agitate them. Repeat the cycle a couple of times.

Freezing The Peas

Start by filling a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Blanch the peas in the boiling water for two minutes. Remove the peas, and place them in a bowl of ice water to immediately cool. After they have cooled, put the peas in a quart size freezer safe ziplock bag. Remove the air from the bag, and seal the peas. Store them bags laying flat in the freezer. Peas are great frozen for six to eight months.

Canning The Peas

1. Canning the peas is also a great option, but it takes a lot more effort than freezing them.
2. Start by rinsing the peas as mentioned above.
3. Wash your 1 quart canning jars, and rings by running them through the dishwater, or washing in very hot water.
4. Wash your canning lids in hot soapy water and rinse well. Place the jars face down on a towel to dry.
5. Next, boil a pot of water.
6. Fill the jars with the washed peas leaving about 1 inch of head space in each jar. Add 1 tsp of salt to to each jar.
7. Fill the jars with the boiling water (being very careful not to spill it and burn yourself). Be sure to leave 1 inch of headspace in each jar, and remove any air pockets.
8. Process the jars in PRESSURE CANNER ONLY according to the USDA complete guide to home canning guidelines.

Purple Hull Peas Recipe

Peas are very easy to prepare. While there are a lot of different recipes out there, this one is simple and requires very few ingredients. This particular recipe is made using frozen peas. You can prepare canned peas in a similar way, with less cooking time and adding only 1 tsp salt.

Ingredients

• 1 quart frozen purple hull peas
• 1 quart chicken broth, or 2 chicken bouillon cubes
• 2 tsp salt
• 4 strips thick cut bacon or 1 ham hock

• Begin by rinsing the frozen peas under cool water. You will skip this step if you are cooking canned peas.
• Put the rinsed peas in a large pot, cover with with water and 2 bouillon cubes, or with chicken broth.
• Add salt, and bacon to the pot.
• Bring the peas to a boil, and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for around 2 hours until the peas are tender.
• Check the peas frequently and add more liquid as necessary.
• Serve with warm cornbread, a ring of sweet onion, and relish.

Try growing, preserving, and preparing purple hull peas. You won’t be disappointed on how simple and fun they are to grow. They are a delicious side dish to any meal, and preserve well over winter. Thanks for visiting my little farm!