How to Prepare Fresh Purple Hull Peas for Freezing

Popular in the South where the long, hot growing season suits their needs, purple hulled peas are a type of pink-eyed southern pea. Purple hull peas with pods that are about 50 percent purple are just right for freezing. They should be filled with light green, medium-sized, tender peas. You can freeze purple hull peas in plastic freezer containers or freezer bags. Bags give you more flexibility in the amount of peas in each package so that you can suit the size to you family's needs. Once frozen, purple hull peas retain their flavor and quality for eight to 12 months.

Colander

Large pot

Wire basket with handle

Plastic freezer containers or freezer bags

Freezer tape

Indelible marker

Remove purple hull peas from the shell and place them in a colander. Rinse them by running cold water over the peas while stirring gently with your hand. Examine them as you stir, removing any dark-colored or damaged peas. Place 1 lb. of the peas in a wire basket.

Bring a gallon of water to a boil in a large pot. Immerse the wire basket in the boiling water and boil for one to two minutes. Begin timing when the water returns to a boil.

Remove the peas from the boiling water and immediately run cold water over them. Cool the peas as quickly as possible to stop the cooking process.

Place the peas in plastic freezer containers or freezer bags. When using freezer containers, leave 1/2 inch of space between the top of the peas and the lip of the container.

Label the containers using freezer tape and an indelible marker. Include the date on the labels.

A pound of purple hull peas is approximately 3 cups.

You can tie the peas loosely in cheesecloth instead of using a wire basket.