Lancastrian Black Peas

[greenrook]

Where can I buy food-grade maple peas, which I think were the main ingredient of the fairground 'black peas' of my boyhood. I understand they're sold as pigeon food and carp bait, and no doubt these would be quite edible, but one likes to be sure - thank you.....

[valerieb1254]

I think the last time I bought them was from one of the supermarkets,can't remember which one.Both my husband and myself like them ( mum used to make them when I was young ) Plenty of salt and vinegar on.We called them either Black Peas or Parched Peas.
Val.

[greenrook]

Thank you Val. We live in West Cornwall, and our local Tesco, Morrison's et al seem to have every pulse the Lord ever caused to grow, but no maple peas. All this has come about because our neighbouring ex-pats recently treated us to pie 'n' mash with jellied eels and parsley liquor, Eastenders style, so we're going to hit back with black peas, and if they don't behave themselves they'll find themselves faced with pigs'trotters or worse! I think I'll get the pigeon peas from the pet shop - if they don't hurt the pigeons, I think we'll be safe..?

[mccfluff]

2nd listing under carlin peas, nope your neighbours enjoy!
http://www.countryproducts.co.uk/Scripts/prodL ist.asp?idcategory=5&curPage=2&sortField=sorto rder

[greenrook]

Many thanks McFluff, my wife discovered that Carlin peas (as used in the Northeast) were the same vegetable as those used in the Black Peas recipe, and also noted that the minimum order seems to be 10 kilos!! Like, that's a lot of peas! I wonder if my Cockney neighbours would settle for cow heel...?

[greenrook]

Sorry, that's 5 kilos, still a lot of peas!

[riskman]

We used to have the Black Pea man come round on Tuesday evenings (Rochdale) with a motor cycle and side car combo (boilers in the side car). 6d got you a big dish 1s fed the family - was our family treat. Definately agree with the salt and vinegar and some thick cut B&B to mop the thick juices at the end. Available in some Asian shops - sold as gungo peas. Enjoy your dinner...

[greenrook]

You'll have gathered I am of the Lancastrian persuasion, though not resident these many years (well all right then, 57 years) Oddly, much as everyone liked the black peas we wolfed at Wakes Week, no-one prepared them at home at any other part of the year, though God knows it must have been a cheap enough dish, which in those days would have been an important consideration. I used to fish in Rochdale, by the way, we we would go on our bikes (from Ashton-under-Lyne) to a pool behind a disused mill. I t was the only place I ever caught rudd. Thanks for all your answers, all this is something of a blast from the past, as they say...

[valerieb1254]

I love the trips down memory lane,makes me feel all warm inside. I also remember going to the chippie when I was young with a large basin for a 4 penny mixture, which was chips,peas and gravy. We also asked for a bag of fish bits ( free ). Ahhh, those were the days.

[riskman]

valerieb1254 - your fish bits were known as scrag ends in Rochdale and a penny (1d) got you a big bag (nothing for free though).

Greenrook - sounds like it might have been the mill pond behind the Eagle Mill just down from Bolderstone Park - lots of other mills though so maybe another...

[greenrook]

Gosh yes, I remember asking for the bits of batter in the chip shop, we called them 'scraps' in Stalybridge, where I was brought up, and I have never forgotten the chippie proprietor's daughter Joan, who was terribly sophisticated at 11 years old ,having migrated from the big city of Manchester, and who introduced me to sex. (It involved doing a lot of innocent peering at each other, and marvelling at the difference!) I suppose in those days you went to the chip shop if you were skint and couldn't afford better, but have you been for a takeaway fish supper lately? Even in our part of Cornwall, where it tends to be cheaper to live, it would be about 7 or 8 quid for 2 people. Sorry, this has nothing to do with my original query, but all your most interesting reminiscences got me going. Perhaps you all might have more to add? ......Greenrook

[JaneyEd]

Hi, sorry this is not the difinitive guide as to where to buy Black Peas (I didn't know they where called Maple peas), but I thought I'd add my memories of them in Rochdale too! We always used to have them on bonfire night, served in a polystyrene cup with shed loads of vinegar (always Sarsons). They were the business! Ever since moving away from the area (I now live in Spain) I've always asked any new person from 'up North' if they remember black peas, and NO ONE ever does! It must be very specific to the north/north east Manchester area. Anyway if you do find them I think you're supposed to boil them up with a ham shank to give them flavour. If you can't find them, don't forget you could give your neighbours Tripe cooked in milk and onions or good old Bury black pudding -you'll never see them again!!

[greenrook]

I can't find Holland's pies here in the West either, though they're supposed to be available in all the major supermarkets. It's probably a conspiracy by the Cornish pasty-makers. One of my old neighbours used to bring all sorts of local goodies back from his old Northern stamping grounds, it's astonishing you can't get them outside those areas. Mind you, you can't get a proper Cornish pasty outside of Cornwal, in my opinion

[holbeach]

YOU CAN BUY BLACK PEAS ANY TIME OF THE YEAR AT MY LOCAL PET SHOP HUDSONS IN TYLDESLEY NR LEIGH I HAVE BOUGHT THEM HERE FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS

[shinymanone]

black peas were sold at the funfair or "wakes" around the wigan area by a family known as the "butterworths" in the 50.s and 60,s.They also sold faggots a.k.a. "savoury ducks".
You took a jug from home, or you sat on the benches around the inside of butterworths marque, and soaked up the smell of black peas cooking!.
Whilst devouring yer own from a plastic cup.
Black peas..also knwo as pigeon peas, carlin peas,maple pease, and gungo peas(from Asian or Caribbean shops
If you didnt fancy black peas, the local chippy would sell you 6penorth of chips.and bits o batter (known as scraps) were free!..........Ah! for the dayd before fast foods!....:-)

[BWFC_are_Kings]

The last time I bought some was in Bolton, Lancashire in the (indooor) Market Place but I suspect they can be bought elsewhere too (e.g. the outdoor market). I just asked for black peas - very tasty ........

[Denbyden]

I remember them from the wakes and also at the Gladstone Club on Robinson Street in Stalybridge. The difference was that at the club there were big chunks of fatty bacon floating in them. Both versions were wonderful. These days when I get the yen, I cook gungo peas and then add salt, pepper and vinegar. Not quite the real thing but close. I read some place that they are still served in the buffet at Stalybridge station.

[Denbyden]

I bought a kilo of Haven brand black peas for £2 in Tesco today. They were on the end of an aisle and not with other pulses. It will be interesting to taste them ( I haven't had them for many a year) and compare with the substitute I have used of late: gungo peas.