A popular belief that both green peas and sweet peas had to be planted right on Valentine’s Day seemed to have merit, particularly because a freeze on the seeds was necessary. It was no easy task to plant seeds in the frozen ground, but the success of the timing could not be disputed.
As soon as the soil could be prepared, turnip and mustard seeds were “broadcasted” to produce greens for a Southern Appalachian mainstay, and the hunt for the wild greens or potherbs to mix in, was on. A variety of greens was available in different areas and included poke “sallit,” narrow leaf dock (burdock), dandelion, tongue grass, and young tender blackberry leaves. For a savory, nourishing, and low calorie dish, the greens were washed and cooked with smoked hog jowl, or ham hock.
—Appalachian Livin’ – Spring
We have never had any luck growing spring peas. After reading this it might be that we didn’t plant them early enough. Every so often I decide to try planting them again, but for the most part we quit trying to grow spring peas years ago. However we do love summer peas and are able to grow them well.
Greens, both wild and domesticated, are still used as a spring tonic for many folks in Appalachia. I try to gather wild greens for us to enjoy at least once every spring and that chore is on my list of things to do very soon.
Last night’s video: Supper from the Canning Shelves.
Tipper
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Miss Tipper, this is the story of my only memories of eating greens in childhood. My Grandma always talked about eating wild greens. Back then I didn’t have any desire for anything that resembled what I thought greens were. But my grandmother’s best friend, I knew her as Sister Moore, made a pot of greens onetime and I happened to have been visiting with my grandma at Sister Moore’s home. I actually remember eating some of it. Not the green part, but a type of dumpling and the “pot licker” I’d never eaten before or since, the dumpling. It was so good. It was made of a cornmeal. I love greens now and wouldn’t pass a dish up, if offered, but no one has had that wonderful dumpling in their greens. Has anyone a recipe, I could try and make them myself? Hopefully as good as Sister Moore’s were. What a joy that would be. Everyone have a tremendous week and blessings abound. God bless y’all.
I’ve heard about those dumpling but never tried making them 🙂 You make me want to!
Put your pea seeds in the freezer for a few days and then plant them. That’s how I get a good okra crop.
Green peas were the first vegetable to be ready to eat in daddy’s garden. They were sweet, and we always called them just garden peas. I know he waited to plant his garden until April or what he hoped was after the last frost. Now, looking back, he must have planted the green peas earlier because they were ready way before anything else. I wish he was here for me to ask him.
Interesting! Thank you !
Praying for you & your family Norman !
Every spring, I have good intentions of planting peas early. As of now, they are still in the bag. I planted sugar snap peas one year and they did ok, but you really have to pick them while they are young and tender.
I noticed the other day that there’s some poke growing here and there on my property that needs to be harvested. It is one of my favorite greens. You have to be very careful preparing it, making sure to pick it when the stalks are very small, with tender young leaves. I boil it, mix it with eggs and cornmeal and scramble it. Good eating!
Enjoyed reading this!
good morning everyone, I don’t know if my previous comment made it to you or not, but once again I would like to say thank you for praying for my brother, and now I’m praying for my family and myself, God bless you friends, I’m trying to prepare for the service tomorrow, thank you for praying God bless you
I am praying for you and your family Norman.
Green peas creamed with baby potatoes is my favorite springtime comfort dish!
I’d like to say thank you to everybody that has prayed for my brother, and now my family and myself, it’s a trying time, thank you to each and everyone, God bless you very much in Jesus name
I was going to say something about creasy greens. We didn’t eat them but I knew a lot of people did. I didn’t know exactly how they prepared them so I consulted Mr. Google. I came upon this phrase that made me chuckle “thoroughly wash them 4 or 5 times”. Now the dictionary definition of thorough is “complete with regard to every detail; not superficial or partial”.
Using this new information I have concluded that if you thoroughly wash your creasy greens the first time it would be unnecessary to thoroughly wash them 3 or 4 more times. Am I missing something?
Mom could identify every edible wild green that grew in the hills of eastern KY. She gathered spotted dock, poke, and creasy greens, to name a few. The polk stalks were breaded in cornmeal and fried; the greens were cooked and never served as a salad. That was some fine eating when served with cornbread and soup beans. I was shopping at a specialty store a few years ago and was shocked to find cans of creasy greens for sale. I bought one can, but they didn’t taste the same as I remembered when mom cooked them.
I had my first helping of poke sallit yesterday! It sure was good and I enjoyed every bite of it. I look forward to being able to put a few messes in the freezer to use later in the summer as well.
You have me curious about summer peas. Are they the ones that you leave to dry then use in soups or what variety grows well in summer?
Yes 🙂 but they are delicious fresh too!
Your supper looked delicious, Tipper! I love pickles but never had green fried tomatoes. Your cornbread always looks like Mother’s and your green beans too. I can make a meal out of green beans and cornbread with a bite of onion. Mother’s green beans were cooked to death but oh sooooo delicious. She and Daddy worked as a team like you and Matt and canned the food they grew. Mother had rows of beautiful quart jars in the basement and what a delight to just run down and grab a quart of this or that instead of having to drive to some grocery store. Loved the Easter Service with the girls and Paul singing at Granny’s church.
I love peas although I’ve not managed to grow them. Perhaps I’ll try again next year & plant earlier. I forgot to note in my comment last night that one thing that I enjoy from my canned poultry is to make chicken/turkey salad using your North Carolina Chow Chow recipe.
I love all greens, and peas too. We traveled through Crabapple Valley and Fines Creek yesterday on our way to Hot Springs via Rattlesnake Trail-what a ride that was!! We stopped at a roadside market that advertised Ramos! Of course, we stopped and shopped a little and I found a small crate with little bundles tied together sweetly and thought of you.
The ONE thing I would love to hunt and FIND this spring, would be morel mushrooms. It’s been at least 10 years since I’ve had any to enjoy. Finding a place to hunt them is my problem. I’ve got 12 acres but it’s mostly pasture and yard. Occasionally, I’ve found 3-6 hanging out under some white pine trees. Oh how I love what nature just sets out for us!!! Good morning Tipper and Acorns. Happy Hump day to you all♡
I took coffee grounds and egg shells out to my little garden spot right after taking a loaf of banana bread out of the oven and while pulling a few more(grrrrr) star of Bethlehem I stumbled upon a small nest of morels surrounded by a bunch of pine needles!!! Just sitting there at the edge of my garden. Pretty as you please!!! I’m ever soooo excited! I’ve been sharing pictures with my cousins lol as we were just recently discussing morels.
Kim that is just wonderful 🙂
My father-in-law used to always pick dandelion greens. He loved them. I bought a package of power greens which includes kale, spinach and Swiss chard. I just love it. I didn’t have enough lemon juice to make the kale salad dressing the other day, like I had planned. I am going to make it as soon as I get back to the grocery store. I do have a mess of ramps in the fridge just calling our name. Hubby’s friend gifted them to us. This evening, I am going to go outside to the grill and fry some potatoes and ramps for dinner. I don’t like to cook them inside— takes to long to get rid of the smell—but the taste is amazing.
Good morning, Tipper and Acorns. I always add Dandelion Greens to my Tabouleh on Passover. It is a special meal and we love it. I keep everyone here and up Wilson Holler in my prayers. TY all so much for praying for us too. We had such a great day yesterday and a restful night. Praise GOD and all HE does. I love y’all.
Sounds like a spring “wallet” is exactly what our tired gastrointestinal system needs for a boost. In WV there are ramp festivals with fried taters and eggs all featuring ramps which are like wild wild onions that surely smell up the place for miles, but they say the internal cleaning does wonders for a body! Peas are a delicious food and I do know for a fact a white tail deer will mug ya for peas! I mean who wouldn’t, really? No ramps for me, but that leaves a’plenty for the next fella… Have a good day y’all. I will spend today recovering from working outside yesterday. I feel like I been shot at and missed and been pooed at and hit!!! lol Have a good day yall and don’t overdo it if you can help it…
Didn’t know about pea seed needing to be frozen. I have planted (English, garden, green, spring, sweet ?) peas twice this spring. First time was really poor. Second time is looking better but still won’t be great. If dry weather continues will not get much plus heat will finished them off in May. Truth is, they are a marginal proposition here. I do recall growing up that a spring ‘sallet’ hunt was looked forward to. I wish I remembered all the plants but I do remember many of them.
I grow a few things in raised beds and pots. I’ve had great luck with pod peas and sugar snap peas both in the raised beds. I grow the bush or dwarf varieties and they thrive. The pod peas never make it into the house. They are snacked on while outside. Planted them last week. You might try a few in one of your tall raised beds.
Thank YOU! Love it!