Monday Special - Black Eyed BEANS! (COWPEAS)

Yep, I'm going to call them Black Eyed Beans from now on - since they are beans, not peas. Did you know black eyed beans enjoy a long season - from May to November. Anyone else shocked that they are NOT in season at New Years?? (I'm showing my southern roots again, aren't I?)

Black eyed BEANS are as nutritious as any other bean. In fact, America's top heart hospital, the Cleveland Clinic, listed them as one of the top 5 beans to eat for heart health.
For a cup- serving (of boiled/drained beans), you get:

• 160 calories, but less than 1g of fat
• 34g carbs (8g fiber)
• 5g protein
• Nutrition(as % of daily recommended value)
• 10-19%: Thiamin, Robiflavin, Niacin, Iron, Zinc, Copper
• 20-30%: Vitamin A, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium
• 45-55%: Vitamin K, Folate, Manganese
• Low-glycemic food with blood-cholesterol lowering phytosterols

If you buy them dried, you will need to pre-soak prior to cooking, like any other bean. Blackeyes are versatile like most beans and can be made a side dish (plain with salt and pepper or dressed up and simmered in a broth or sauce), added to soups or salads or chilis, or paired with rice.

So, don't save them for that New Year's bash. (Although you can set some aside to keep the tradition alive if you prefer.) Eat them up throughout the summer and fall, when you can get them super fresh. Check in on Friday for my weekly recipe; it will include black eyed peas and a couple other in-season yummies!

Fun fact: Black eyed peas originate in Africa and are drought-resistant. For information on growing your own cowbeans, read this backyard gardening article, which explains how to select, grow and store beans... whether ground or container-bound.
http://www.gardeningblog.net/how-to-grow/black-eyed-peas/