Black-Eyed Peas w/Ham Hocks And Vegetables

I like to slice the onions, garlic, and celery as thin as can be, so they almost melt into the gravy of the peas. I like the carrots left larger for contrast. To be honest, 75 percent of the time I skip the pork because the whole thing is flavorful on its own. You can also always use Parmesan rinds, chunks of salted or smoked fish, or mushrooms for a different type of richness.