Southernpea, Cowpea

Also blackeye or black-eyed pea, field pea,

Of African, not American, origin, the southernpea does not belong to the genus Phaseolus, as do common and lima beans. It is still grown widely in Africa, as well as Asia, India, and the Caribbean. In the United States, it is cultivated in and associated with the South—even more so than the beans discussed here—primarily because of the plant’s need for a long, hot growing season. In fact, few legume lovers outside Southern states have sampled this group of deeply flavorful peas (also called beans) in their fresh form.