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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Black-eyed pea
| image = BlackeyeBean.jpg
| image_width = 250px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Fabales]]
| familia = [[Fabaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Vigna]]''
| species = '''''V. unguiculata'''''
| subspecies = '''''V. u. unguiculata'''''
| trinomial = ''Vigna unguiculata unguiculata''
| trinomial_authority = | date = ([[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]]) Walp.
}}
The '''black-eyed pea''', also called '''black-eyed bean''', '''blackeye''', '''lobiya''', '''rongi''', '''feijão-frade''', '''Alasandee''' ([[Kannada]] name) or '''chawli'''/'''chawle''', is a subspecies of the [[cowpea]], grown for its medium-sized edible [[bean]], which mutates easily giving rise to a number of varieties, the common commercial one called the California Blackeye being pale-colored with a prominent black spot. The currently accepted botanical name is ''Vigna unguiculata'' subsp. ''unguiculata'', although previously it was classified in the [[genus]] ''[[Phaseolus]]''. ''Vigna unguiculata'' subsp. ''dekindtiana'' is the wild relative and ''Vigna unguiculata'' subsp. ''sesquipedalis'' is the related asparagus bean. Other beans of somewhat similar appearance, such as the "Frijol ojo de cabra" ("Goat's eye bean") of Northern [[Mexico]] are sometimes incorrectly called "black eyed peas" and vice versa.

== History ==

Originally native to Africa, but widely grown in many countries in [[Asia]], the black-eyed pea was introduced into the [[West Indies]] and from there to the [[Southern United States]], where it is still a widely used ingredient in [[soul food]] and [[Southern U.S. cuisine]]. The planting of crops of black-eyed peas was promoted by [[George Washington Carver]] both because, as a [[legume]], it adds [[nitrogen]] to the [[soil]] and for its [[nutrition]]al value. Black-eyed peas are an excellent source of [[calcium]] (211mg in a 1 [[cup]] serving), [[folate]] (209mcg), and [[vitamin A]] (1,305 IU) among other nutrients.

== Culture ==

The heat-loving crop is seeded after the danger of frost is past and the soil is warm. [[Sandy loam]] is preferred, but at least the soil should be well-drained, as the plants cannot stand excessive water. They are also known as a [[drought]]-tolerant crop.

The crop is relatively free of [[pest (animal)|pest]]s and disease. [[Root-knot nematode]]s can be a problem, especially if crops are not rotated. As a [[nitrogen fixation|nitrogen fixing]] legume, fertilization can exclude nitrogen.

The blossoms are heavy [[nectar]] producers and significant areas can be a source of [[honey]]. Because the bloom attracts a variety of [[pollinator]]s, care must be taken in the application of [[insecticide]]s to avoid [[pesticide misuse|label violations]].

== Traditional use ==

Black-eyed peas are traditionally eaten on New Year's Day in the American South and in some other parts of the country. In some areas, they are served as a starchy side dish, cooked with or without [[fatback]] and/or diced onion, and often served with a hot [[chili]] sauce or a pepper-flavored [[vinegar]]. In other areas, they are served in a traditional dish called "[[Hoppin' John]]" made of black-eyed peas cooked with [[rice]], sometimes [[pork]] (such as [[hog jowls]], neckbone, hock, or [[fatback]]), and seasonings.

The traditional meal also features [[Collard greens|collard]] or [[Mustard plant|mustard]] [[greens (vegetable)|greens]]. This is supposed to bring good luck and financial enrichment. The peas stand for coins, the greens symbolize paper money. Corn bread also often accompanies this meal.

These "good luck" traditions date back to the U.S. Civil War. Union troops, especially in areas targeted by General [[William Tecumseh Sherman]], would typically strip the countryside of all stored food, crops, and livestock and destroy whatever they couldn't carry away. At that time, Northerners considered "field peas" and corn suitable only for animal fodder, and as a result didn't steal or destroy these hu
mble foods. Many Southerners survived as a result of this mistake.<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.seguingazette.com/story.lasso?ewcd=50a6990df9b8c858
| title = Black-eyed pea tradition dates back to 1800s
| accessdate = 2007-13-07
| author = Melissa Johnson
| publisher = The Seguin Gazette-Enterprise
}}</ref>

Rice and peas is a popular dish in [[Jamaican cuisine|Jamaica]] and other Caribbean Islands.

In [[Vietnamese cuisine|Vietnam]], black-eyed peas are used in a sweet dessert called ''chè đậu trắng'' (black-eyed peas and [[Glutinous rice|sticky rice]] with [[coconut milk]]).

==Cultural references==

* In the song "Cornbread" by the Freestyle Fellowship, rapper [[Aceyalone]] throws the phrase "black eyed peas with a lot of tabasco" into a list of things he likes.

* In the song "[[Goodbye Earl]]" black-eyed peas are mentioned as a food which is poisoned and fed (unbeknownst to him) to an abusive husband by his wife and her best friend to retaliate for the abuse.

* The vegetables are also mentioned in [[Bobbie Gentry]]'s 1967 ballad "[[Ode To Billie Joe]]": ''Papa said to Mama as he passed around the black-eyed peas, <nowiki>"</nowiki>''Well, Billy Joe never had a lick of sense; pass the biscuits please.''<nowiki>"</nowiki>''

* A character on the TV show [[The Poddington Peas]] is named Black-Eyed Pea.

* [[The Black Eyed Peas]] are a three-time Grammy Award-winning American hip-hop group from Los Angeles.

<gallery>
Image:Black-eyed-pea.jpg|Black-eyed peas
Image:Black-eyed-pea-close.jpg|Close-up of the black eye
</gallery>

==References==

{{reflist}}

* [http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=27018 ITIS 27018]
* [http://www.ars-grin.gov2/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?300675] USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. [[Germplasm Resources Information Network]] - (GRIN) Online Database . National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. (16 July 2005)

* [http://www.plantnames.unimelb.edu.au/Sorting/Vigna.html#unguiculata-unguiculata] Porcher Michel H. et al. 1995 - 2020, Sorting Vigna Names. Multilingual Multiscript Plant Name Database (M.M.P.N.D) - A Work in Progress. School of Agriculture and Food Systems. Faculty of Land & Food Resources. The University of Melbourne. Australia. (2005).
* [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/cowpea.html Alternative Field Crops Manual: Cowpea]

[[Category:Faboideae]]
[[Category:Edible legumes]]
[[Category:Cuisine of the Southern United States]]
[[Category:Underutilized crops]]
[[Category:Soul food]]

Black-eyed pea - Revision history

MediaWiki default at 04:57, 19 July 2007