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America's Melting Pot
Field Peas with Ham Hock hero image coming soon
1861-1900 - Southern rural communities and home cooks since the 19th century.
Field Peas with Ham Hock is a traditional Southern dish combining slow-cooked field peas and savory ham hock for a flavorful, hearty side or main. This dish dates back to post-Civil War Reconstruction era Southern resilience and resourcefulness in cooking.
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Difficulty
Medium
Prep time
10 minutes
Cook time
1 hour 30 minutes
Total time
1 hour 40 minutes
Servings
6
Region
South
Era introduced
1861-1900
Introduced by
Southern rural communities and home cooks since the 19th century.
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Field Peas with Ham Hock is a staple Southern comfort dish that developed during the Civil War and Reconstruction era as communities adapted to economic hardship with locally available ingredients. The slow-simmered field peas combined with smoky ham hock exemplify Southern culinary resilience and tradition. This dish remains a beloved part of Southern food heritage, often served alongside cornbread and greens for family meals and gatherings.
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