Legume
Cowpea
A tier
Cowpea is the umbrella English name for V. unguiculata market types—field peas of the South, African beans, and black-eye relatives. Flavour ranges earthy to sweet-green depending on type and freshness. Use in regional stews, rice dishes, and fritters (akara from peeled black-eye types). Fresh shelly cowpeas are a summer prize. Know your subtype for best results.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
FritterRiceStew
Traits
DiverseEarthyField PeaHeartyTraditionalUmbrella Name
History
Cowpea agriculture diversified across African climates and dishes.
English cowpea named the crop in colonial and Southern US agriculture.
Cowpea research for climate resilience renewed agronomic attention.