Parched peas please!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi BB - how did you get on? I've noticed the peas in Booths today - at a reduced price! Also in a couple of other supermarkets I've seen TINS of parched peas! What a good idea - if you like them that is! DDL

[PAULW]

FOUND THIS ON ANOTHER SITE
This is a recipe for "parched peas". It was used by my grandmother and my mother and is
the one that I use today. There are no quantities as such. Put the maple peas in a large
bowl or basin to allow for them swelling, add a quarter of a teaspoon of bicarbonate of
soda and cover them with boiling water, stir well and allow them to soak over night. Rinse
the peas well, put them in a large pan and just cover them with cold water. Bring the water
to the boil and as soon as it starts to boil turn the heat down and simmer gently until the
peas start to soften. Make sure you dont over boil them or they go mushy. As soon as they
start to go soft turn them into a collander and allow to drain. Turn an oven on to about
220 deg centigrade, and when it is at this temperature, pour some of the peas onto the
bottom of a roasting tin. Dont put too many in or they wont parch, just have the base
nicely covered, put them in the top of the oven and leave for about 5 mins. Take them
out and shake the roasting tin from side to side to roll the peas around. By this time
you should see the peas beginning to split, put them back for another 2 or 3 mins. and
check again for them splitting, if a fair number have split turn them out into a basin
or dish. You may need to do this 3 or 4 times but be careful not to leave them in too
long or they go hard. When the peas are in the basin and while they are still hot put
a generous lump of best butter in them, add some salt and give them a stir, you may
find you need to add more butter as they soak it up for fun, and the same applies with
the salt. All you do now is parch the remainder the same way and enjoy!!!!
PS. Dont be afraid to alter the parching times to suit your taste.

[Bibliobeck]

Hi DDL just got back a couple of hours ago from a miserable journey - rain, queues, rain, queues BUT... got the peas on special as you say! 49p what a bargain! Didn't find Mrs Kirkhams, but got some other crumbly too. God bless Booths!

Also nipped into Greenhalghs (well you've got to haven't you - ahh the lure of butter pie ) and they sell cooked black peas in pots there, so got one in my fridge ready to heat and see if they are anything like the parched peas of my childhood.

Thanks for the recipe Paul - I shall be cooking up a pea storm very soon and report back. I just hope they are as good as I remember

[dexterdoglancashire]

Glad to hear you've got back safe and sound. Enjoy the peas! DDL