Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large skillet, large pot, or Dutch oven, heat the extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion, celery and carrots and cook them until they are softened.
- Add the diced ham and stir and cook for about 2-4 minutes until they heat through.
- Pour in your black-eyed peas, chicken broth, green pepper, fresh cabbage, garlic powder and Cajun seasoning.
- Combine the ingredients and bring them to a boil. Lower the heat, and cover your pot with a lid. Let the soup simmer on low heat for about 15-30 minutes.
- Serve your black-eyed peas and cabbage soup with white or brown rice, cornbread, or your favorite side dish. Enjoy!
Notes
Black-Eyed Peas: Black-eyed peas add a nutty and earthy flavor to this New Year's Day soup. They also bring a rich and hearty texture to it and are packed with protein and fiber. If you don't have black-eyed peas, you can substitute them with lentils or navy beans.
Olive Oil: Olive oil helps sauté the veggies and ham and enhances their flavors. If you're out of olive oil, feel free to use vegetable oil or melted butter as a substitute.
Carrots, Celery, and Yellow Onion: These aromatic vegetables form the flavor base of this soup. Carrots bring a natural sweetness, celery adds a mild earthiness, and yellow onion provides a savory depth to this comforting soup.
Garlic Powder: Garlic powder infuses the soup with a warm and savory flavor. It also complements the other ingredients. If you prefer fresh garlic, feel free to substitute it by finely mincing a couple of garlic cloves.
Ham: Diced ham gives this black-eyed pea soup a smoky and salty flavor, creating a savory contrast to the sweetness of the vegetables. You can use ham bone or ham hock for this recipe. If ham isn't your cup of tea, you can substitute it with smoked sausage, turkey neck, bacon, or even smoked turkey for a similar savory profile.
Green Bell Pepper: The green bell pepper adds a crisp and slightly sweet taste to the soup, enhancing its overall freshness. You can use red or yellow bell peppers for a subtle flavor and color variation.
Chicken Broth: Chicken broth forms the liquid base and infuses the soup with savory goodness, depth, and richness. Vegetable broth or water with a vegetable bouillon cube can be used instead.
Cabbage: Chopped cabbage adds a mild sweetness and a satisfying crunch to this soup. It also absorbs the flavors of the broth. If a head of cabbage isn't available, you can use kale, collard greens, or even spinach as substitutes for this black-eyed peas recipe.
Cajun Seasoning: Cajun seasoning brings a kick of warmth and spice to this soup. If you don't have Cajun seasoning, you can make a DIY blend with paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and oregano.