Cow Peas (Black Eyed Peas) for New Years

Two foods are customarily cooked on New Year's day by many people in the southern United States: collard greens and black eyed peas.  Here's my recipe for good luck cow peas.

This will feed 10 people or more if you have it over rice.

You will need:

• 1/2 kg. cow peas
• 250 g. (about half a pound) bacon, fatty smoked goose breast, or smoked chicken leg quarters
• 1 large onion
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon chile powder or hot paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons gray salt
• water

Instructions:

1. Soak the peas overnight in plain water.
2. Drain and rinse the peas, and then return them to the pot.
3. Add enough plain water to cover them plus a couple of centimeters.
4. Bring to a boil, and skim off the foam that forms on top.
5. Cover, and turn the heat down to just above low, keeping them at a good boil but not too much.
6. After the peas are almost soft, which should take about an hour and a half to two hours, chop the fatty meat into small cubes.
7. Fry the meat on low heat until it is mildly browned and crispy, but not too overdone, and then add the chopped onions.
8. When the onions are clear, add the garlic and toss for a few seconds.
9. Then pour all of this into the pot of peas.
10. Add the spices and salt, and stir the peas well.
11. Cook for another half hour or until the peas are very soft, and then take out the bay leaf.

Serve with greens and rice.