Southern Black Eye Peas

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 ounces) package dried black-eyed peas (cover with water and soak the peas over night)
• 1 ham hock - A honey ham bone is delicious. A Country ham bone is wonderful also but if using this do not add the extra salt. You can use 4 or 5 strips of bacon instead of the ham. Cook the bacon and left the rendered fat in the pot before adding the water. You need one of these things in any dried peas or beans.
• 6 cups of water
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

Directions:

1. Wash the black eye peas and allow them to soak in water overnight.
2. Ham hock - A honey ham bone is delicious. A Country ham bone is wonderful also but if using this do not add the extra salt. You can use 4 or 5 strips of bacon instead of the ham. Cook the bacon and left the rendered fat in the pot before adding the water. You need ONE of these things in any dried peas or beans.
3. Wash the peas thoroughly.
4. In a large Dutch oven, add 8 cups of water and your ham hock or bone and bring them to a boil.
5. Add the onion, garlic, sugar, and spices to the ham. Insert the peas.
6. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours or until the peas are tender.