Dixie Lee pea
SpeciesVigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.
Cultivar group'Unguiculata'
CultivarCrowder type
Marketing namesDixielee Pea[1] and Dixie-lee pea[2]
OriginNorth Carolina

The Dixie Lee Pea is an heirloom variety of cowpea popular in the Carolinas, although prevalent throughout most of the American south.[3]

History

Prelude

The centre of diversity of the cultivated cowpea is West Africa, leading an early consensus that this is the likely centre of origin and place of early domestication.[4] Charred remains of cowpeas have been found in rock shelters located in Central Ghana dating to the 2nd millennium BCE.[5] By the 17th century cowpeas began to be cultivated in the New World via the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, being used as slave food and provisions.[6][4]

Origin

The origin of the word Dixie is unknown but since its first use in 1859; it has referred to someone from the South, akin to the use of Yankee in the North.[7] Like the name implies and similar to that of the history of the Iron and Clay pea it was a popular variety in the Confederate states of America.[8] After the Civil War Dixie Lee peas kept many southerners from starving to death, prior to which cowpeas were solely reserved as livestock feed and slave food.[9][10]

Cultivation

They prefer to grow in light sandy soils.[1] They are harvested from June in North Carolina.[11]

Culinary use

They are mainly grown for their medium-sized, edible bean.[12] The pod is green in colour,[12] slender and can be up to 7 inches long.[13] When cooked the peas turn brown,[14] and are very sweet to the taste. They can be used in various recipes including with ham hock and onions,[1][15] or on the barbeque.[13]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Nancy Jackson Pleitt Fenner Descendants of Thomas William Holland and Milley Boyett, p. 400, at Google Books
  2. ↑ "A pea is a pea, or IS IT?".
  3. ↑ Yu, Kaila. "The Ultimate Guide to Dixie Lee Peas | NomList". Retrieved 2021-08-08.
  4. 1 2 Ogunkanmi, L. A.; Taiwo, A.; Mogaji, O. L.; Awobodede, A.; Eziashi, E. E.; Ogundipe, O. T. (2005–2006). "Assessment of genetic diversity among cultivated cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) cultivars from a range of localities across West Africa using agronomic traits". Journal Sci. Res. Dev. 10: 111–118.
  5. ↑ D'Andrea; et al. (2007). "Early domesticated cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) from Central Ghana". Antiquity. 81 (313): 686–698. doi:10.1017/S0003598X00095661. S2CID 161301311.
  6. ↑ Perrino, P.; Laghetti, G.; Spagnoletti Zeuli, P. L.; Monti, L. M. (1993). "Diversification of cowpea in the Mediterranean and other centres of cultivation". Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. 40 (3): 121–132. doi:10.1007/bf00051116. S2CID 41138930.
  7. ↑ "dixie | Origin and meaning of the name dixie by Online Etymology Dictionary". www.etymonline.com. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
  8. ↑ "Cowpeas please! The History and Importance of the Cowpea Plant - Dave's Garden". www.davesgarden.com. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
  9. ↑ Yu, Kaila. "The Ultimate Guide to Dixie Lee Peas | NomList". Retrieved 2021-08-08.
  10. ↑ "Beans and Field Peas | University of North Carolina Press ~ Sandra A. Gutierrez | Preview". flexpub.com. Retrieved 2021-08-08.
  11. ↑ Stephen, Paul (8 July 2013). "A field guide to field peas". starnewsonline.com. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  12. 1 2 Douglas C. Sanders (1997-09-01). "Southern Peas". North Carolina State University. Archived from the original on 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2011-06-26.
  13. 1 2 Sandra A. Gutierrez Beans and Field Peas: a Savor the South® cookbook, p. 49, at Google Books
  14. ↑ Susan Slack (2009-09-28). "Farmer's Market Report: Dixie Lee Peas". Retrieved 2011-06-26.
  15. ↑ Fred Thompson Fred Thompson’s Southern Sides: 250 Dishes That Really Make the Plate, p. 219, at Google Books
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