Black-Eyed Peas With Vegetables and Small Pasta

Since black-eyed peas require no soaking, you can cook this after work so long as you have some vegetables around the house. It is an utterly simple dish that I’ve adapted from a recipe in Ms. Kochilas’s cookbook.

• 1/2 pound dried black-eyed peas, picked over and rinsed
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 2 large carrots, finely chopped
• 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 cup tomato paste dissolved in 1/2 cup water
• 2 to 4 garlic cloves (to taste), minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 dried hot pepper, or 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup small pasta, such as elbow macaroni or tubettini, or small square Greek egg noodles
• 1/2 to 1 cup chopped cooked spinach or greens (optional)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, to taste

1. Cover the black-eyed peas with water, bring to a boil and then drain.

2. Combine the drained black-eyed peas, onion, carrots, red bell pepper, dissolved tomato paste, garlic, bay leaf, hot pepper and 1/4 cup olive oil in a large soup pot or Dutch oven. Cover with water by 2 inches, and bring to a gentle boil. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low and simmer 20 minutes. Add salt to taste, and continue to simmer until the beans and vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes more. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add the pasta, increase the heat to medium-high, and simmer five to 10 minutes, until the pasta is cooked and much of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir in the greens, another 2 tablespoons olive oil if desired and the vinegar. Allow to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Yield: Serves four.

Advance preparation: This tastes even better the day after it’s made (though you may want to wait to add the pasta until you reheat). It will keep in the refrigerator for three or four days.