Lancashire Black Peas and Vinegar (Parched Peas)

By
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.
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Updated on 01/6/23
Lancashire black peas and vinegar (Parched Peas) in a blue bowl

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 3 hrs
Soak overnight: 12 hrs
Total: 15 hrs 5 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
110 Calories
0g Fat
22g Carbs
5g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 110
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 130mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 22g 8%
Dietary Fiber 5g 20%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 5g
Vitamin C 2mg 8%
Calcium 43mg 3%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 360mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Parched peas, also known in Lancashire as black peas, are a traditional treat in the North of England, especially when served on Bonfire Night ​on November 5th. Family and friends will gather around the bonfire to celebrate the failed plot of Guy Fawkes to overthrow the government and blow up Parliament in 1605. As it is usually a cold and often wet night, this pea dish, which is cooked and served with vinegar, is a more than welcome way to help warm up cold tummies.

Once cooked, the slightly thickened and mushy peas are sprinkled with malt vinegar. It's a very special treat.

Ingredients

For Soaking the Peas:

  • 2 1/2 cups (500 grams) dried black badger carlin peas, pigeon peas, or black-eyed peas

  • 1 pinch baking soda

For Cooking the Peas:

  • 1 carrot, peeled and thickly sliced

  • 1 stick celery, roughly chopped

  • 1 onion, peeled and roughly chopped

  • Salt, to taste

  • Malt vinegar, to taste

Steps to Make It

Soak the Peas

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Lancashire black peas and vinegar (parched peas) gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. Rinse the peas in a colander under cold, running water.

    Lancashire black peas rinsed in a colander

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Place in a large pot. Add the baking soda and cover with cold water. Cover, and leave the peas to soak overnight.

    Lancashire black peas in a pot of water

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Cook the Peas

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for Lancashire black peas and vinegar (Parched Peas) gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. Drain the peas in a colander and return to the same pot.

    Lancashire black peas in a pot

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Cover with fresh, cold water. Add the carrot, celery, and onion.

    Lancashire Black Peas in a pot with carrots, celery, and onions

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Cover and bring the peas to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, turn the heat down to medium, and simmer for 2 to 3 hours, until the peas are soft and slightly mushy. Stir the peas from time to time during cooking to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan.

    Lancashire black peas and vinegar (parched peas) cooking in a pot

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  5. Once the peas are cooked and starting to break up, remove the pan from the heat. Taste the peas, and add salt and a sprinkle of malt vinegar, to taste. Serve with additional malt vinegar.

    Lancashire black peas and vinegar (parched peas) in a pot with a wooden spoon

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Tip

  • In the United Kingdom, black peas are also known as Black Badger peas and as carlin or maple peas. In the United States, use pigeon peas, or even black-eyed peas and cook as directed. Whichever you use, they will be great and you will be glad you did when you are standing around the bonfire, in the pouring rain—or even if you are just eating them on a cold afternoon or rainy evening in your own home.

How to Store and Freeze Lancashire Black Peas and Vinegar

Cooked Lancashire peas will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze this cooked dish for up to 3 months. Place the peas in a plastic zip-close bag and seal tightly, or in a covered container that won't permit any freezer burn. Defrost on the stovetop over medium-low heat or the microwave.

Recipe Variations

  • Add a small knob of salted butter to the cooked beans.
  • Stir in cooked, crisp, streaky bacon bits, and or fresh, finely chopped mint.
  • If you like your peas and vinegar as a smooth purée (lovely if you want to serve as a side dish), push the cooked peas and vegetables through a coarse sieve to remove the skins of the peas. This will take some effort, but the end result is worth it.