Cooking Our Way

1 slice ham (in the meat section of the grocery store)

4 lbs. black eyed peas or field peas

Cut ham into 1/2 inch cubes.  Remove excess fat. Brown ham in a large skillet with about two teaspoons of olive oil. If ham has a bone in it, add that to the skillet.  Once browned, add the peas with the amount of water that is on the package and bring to a boil.  I use the same pan as I browned the meat in so all of the flavor is then absorbed into the peas.  Boil for at least 45 minutes adding water if necessary.  If that is not  the desired tenderness, boil until they are as tender as your family likes.  Add salt to taste while cooking.  Do not over salt in the beginning depending on how salty the ham is that you are using.

Serve with sweet onion sprinkled on top and your desired hot sauce.