Purple Hull Peas - Picking, Shelling, Canning

[aj19sk20]

Wow, purple hulls are my all-time favorite peas in the summer!! Nothing in the world like smelling purple hulls cooking on the stove. When I was a kid, we sat in front of the TV, watching cartoons, with a dishpan of purple hulls on our lap and sat there and shelled them. Of course, your thumbs will turn purple, so beware!!!! Ha! Thanks for posting.

[webcajun]

@aj19sk20 ... I too love em, they are one of my favorite vegetables in the garden......Donald

[rbbiefah]

Will that electric sheller work with Dixie lees in (full sized but still tender and green?

[webcajun]

@rbbiefah ...Never planted / shelled Dixie Lee but I would think it could. The rollers can be adjusted although I never had to...Donald

[noddwyd]

my favorite pea.  used to shell it by hand, where do I get seeds?

[webcajun]

@noddwyd ... The true "Top Pick" PHP are hard to find. I usually get them from someone on the forum that orders a 50# sack.......Donald

[Hoovesandpaws61]

Good to know. Think I might have to "shell out" the money for the really nice one like you have. lol!

[webcajun]

@Hoovesandpaws61 ... got em for sale on the web site. lol.......Donald

[Hoovesandpaws61]

What kind of sheller where you using? I know you have a real fancy one, but this one looks simple and easy for a home gardner. Would you recommend it? Thanks Donald. Never get tired of seeing your beautiful garden.

[webcajun]

@Hoovesandpaws61 ... I would not recommend it at all. It lasted 1 whole day then I had to work on it with a hammer.  lol.......Donald

[turfdawg]

Great videos. Donald I have something eating shot holes in the leaves of my purple hull peas. Started when plants were about 6" tall they are now over a foot tall. What could it be? And what will control it?

[webcajun]

@turfdawg ... Try liquid sevin, that should do the trick......Donald

[icansmellthecoffee]

I love that little pea sheller you got there! Gorgeous garden. What kind of peas are those? They look different than the norm. 

[webcajun]

@icansmellthecoffee ... The variety is "Top Pick Pink Eyed Purple Hull Peas" One of the best tasting peas out there.......Donald

[sulaearts]

Hello Donald! Just watched your new video with your new pea sheller. Made me want to go back down video-memory lane and watch some of your past video on purple hull peas. Question: do I blanch before canning or just shove 'em on in? Any salt?

[webcajun]

@sulaearts ...No blanching necessary if your canning them. I would blanch if you're going to freeze them. Salt is optional......Donald

[TheOntarioGardener]

If you were going to sell shell peas, would you do it shucked, or whole?

Thanks.

[webcajun]

@TheOntarioGardener ...That would depend on what your customers want. You'll probably end up selling em both ways.....Donald

[ddd3240]

Loved it. Even liked the music but a little cajun music would be even better. Life is full of fools and people with alligator mouths and piss ant asses. Dont worry about em. Thanks from Southeast Texas.

[webcajun]

@ddd3240 ...Hiding behind a keyboard is his way of being a man......Donald

[cabritorsss]

Don't get me wrong...I like your videos. I feel that if you park all of your "modes" of transportation and walked a little you might just lose some of your weight and possibly live long enough to enjoy what you have.

[webcajun]

@cabritorsss ...Have you ever grown a 2 acre garden (with no help) using only hand tools? You'll run out of daylight before you know it. How large is your garden?.....Donald

[webcajun]

@cabritorsss ...I should have checked you channel before waisting my time with a response. Appears you're just another YouTube Troll......Donald

[brotherscoyote]

@cabritorsss Dude you had better be careful messing with a coonass! Not to mention, Donald looks like he can snap your neck w/ those forearms. Donald, don't listen to that dude... I'm from LA, and love your vids. Pls keep 'em comin cheire.

[brotherscoyote]

@cabritorsss Dude you had better be careful messing with a coonass! Not to mention, Donald looks like he can snap your neck w/ those forearms. Donald, don't listen to that dude... I'm from LA, and love your vids. Pls keep 'em comin cheire.

[cabritorsss]

@cabritorsss Yea. I farmed 20 acres. Watermelon, onion and weeds. Water gave out. South Texas

[moonchildsoaps]

Would you can fresh pinto beans the same way?

[webcajun]

@moonchildsoaps...probably would, just check the processing time it may be different......Donald

[bamaduckhunter]

I am assuming that the Top Picks worked well for you. I have never planted them and would like to give them a try. I live in West Central Alabama and have thought about doing them this year. I have had trouble getting my hands on some Mississippi Pinkeyes.

[webcajun]

@bamaduckhunter ...The "Top Pick" do real well for me and shell out around 50%. Taste good too........Donald

[sulaearts]

Love the video and love purple hull peas. But ... you gota tell me where you got that sheller. My thumbs will thank ya!

[webcajun]

@sulaearts ...I use the "Little Sheller" by Taylor. Expensive but worth it......Donald

[Cashis4life]

Another great video. Thanks!

I have a question though, on average how much space do you allow between your rows? I am hoping to start up a half acre vegetable plot this spring and don't want to plant things too close.

[webcajun]

@Cashis4life ... The rear wheels on my tractor are 48 inches (center to center) so that's the spacing for the corn rows. In this video and most others I space the rows 8 ft. apart so I can work off the golf cart and also us the tiller to cultivate between the rows. Takes twice as much space but makes life so much easier for me.....Donald

[tingilya]

I have so many memories of sitting on my grandparents' back porch in Clarksdale, MS, with a big dish tub of peas my Pa grew, shelling them all afternoon! I'm going to try planting some in my back yard this year, and teach my little boy about home gardening! He's three, and I think it's a good time to start learning.

[webcajun]

@tingilya ... peas come up fast, easy to grow, easy to pick and shell. I think that's a good vegetable to get him started on......Donald

[jwlrymkr]

MMMMMmmmmmm Fresh black eyed peas with a little cornbread. Don't get no better than that!

[webcajun]

@jwlrymkr ... had some the other night with fresh pork sausage I made myself, that was some good eating......Donald

[potboy321]

What do you put inside the containers before you put the lid on them and why?

[webcajun]

@potboy321 ... I added plain filtered water to withing 1 inch from the top of the jar. Got to have the liquid in there when canning........Donald

[9aspengold5]

40 minutes in a pressure canner. What pressure did you keep them at ??

[rjhyden]

I just got through pulling some out of the canner, the purple hulls swelled a little above the one inch headspace, I noticed yours did too. How did they turn out when you used them? great Vids

[webcajun]

@rjhyden ... They will pretty much taste like the day you put them in there. I'm still eating some that were canned in this video almost a year later. Fixing to start canning some more. This time I'm going to fill the jar to approx 2 inches from the top with peas and one inch from the top with the water. This should take care of the swelling I hope.......Donald

[rjhyden]

@webcajun

Good deal, Donald, I was just a little concerned that they might not get a good seal, but they look fine this morning, I did a bunch of creams too. :) Randy in Texas

[rosuabsc]

Where did you find the pea sheller. Wow so easy!

[webcajun]

@rosuabsc ... I don't recommend buying one like that, it was broken the second day after the video......Donald

[salvino12]

@webcajun Hi I'm Italian vore know if the machine for peeling the beans to you built webcajun

[Jerrid3]

A pressure cooker I am not so familiar with. Does it at all cook the beans in the jars? I know I had canned fresh strawberry jams once and I had to use a pot of boiling water. I was planing to eat the jams in a short amount of time though so not sure how long it would last if done right. Does the beans in fact get cooked while in the pressure cooker?

[webcajun]

@Jerrid3 ... yes the beans cook during the processing time. Check out the USDA web site, they have lots of good information about how to can safely...... Donald

[johnshoots69]

I just watched a bunch of your videos, they are well done and I like your style!

[webcajun]

@johnshoots69 ... thanks and glad you enjoyed........ Donald

[M6T7Y]

What did you pour in your jars, just water?

My Granddad still has the old Ringer type washing machine converted to a Pea sheller. Converted to electric too instead of the old hand crank.

[webcajun]

@M6T7Y ... Yes, I added just plain filtered water. I purchased a "Little Sheller" and it reminds me of the old wringer type washers. Works great......... Donald

[1978graham]

just curious were you using a ten pound weight or fifteen on the pressure canner?

[webcajun]

@1978graham ... 10# for under 1000 ft. sea level...... Donald

[UncleRuthie]

Brilliant

[webcajun]

@UncleRuthie ... thanks .......... Donald

[KingRyltar]

you might have mentioned it, but where to get that shelling tool, looks like a time saver

[webcajun]

@KingRyltar ... don't waste your money, made in china of course and it started acting up on the 2nd day. Got a "Little Sheller" from Taylor Manufacturing now, it works like a charm and it's electric.......... Donald

[DEANWARREN43]

this is a lazy man but a smart man

[webcajun]

I was picking 300 feet of peas several times a week with no back ache......... Donald

[fordguyfordguy]

Donald, say if you don't mind, on the bed shown how many rows of peas is that? Looks like three rows together in the bed, but can't tell....

[webcajun]

I plant one row of peas per row. The plants are just real healthy and grew well. This fall I have 4 rows about to start producing, if I can beat the frost, 2 of those are planted in single rows and 2 rows are those in this vid that I just tilled under and let come back up. Should be interesting to see how that works......... Donald

[misskisskadee]

donald ,try to grow ,asian long yard peas ,i want to watch how u grow theme pls thanks alot !! maryann from bahamas

[webcajun]

If you watch the videos on growing snap beans.... that's probably how I would try to grow em....... Donald

[mitzy1942]

Hi Donald, I found you, and YouTube, a couple of months ago and really have enjoyed watching.

Could you tell me where you found the top pick pea seeds. I have searched and can't find a source.

TIA, Carolyn, NE AR Z7

[webcajun]

The "Top Pick" were sent to me by a friend from MS. I searched online for seeds and couldn't find any either. If I do I'll let yall know.......... Donald

[1Mezmerize]

great video .. inspires me to grow my own food.. quick question.. how long is the shelf life of the canned beans and did you add salt to this mix.. thanks ..

[webcajun]

The shelf life is at least a year, some say a lot more. No salt was added, that's optional......... Donald

[angeleyes1198]

I would reccomened growing your own food! Stay away from Hybrid seeds! You will know what your eating instead of proceesed foods! No salmonela in home grown food!! lol

[fitweld]

on the stub shaft on your sheller you can put a electric mixer on it.the shaft has the 2 little ears on it just snap it on and turn it on low and make shur the rotation is right and start shelling

[webcajun]

By the second day of using it the rollers starting slipping. I ordered one a little larger and more heavy duty......... Donald

[devilden9]

will u watch my vids showing my garden then cmmnt

[TnWormsCastings]

we just picked some also the are yummy

[webcajun]

Pork backbone with rice and gravy and purple hull peas, now that's hard to beat.......... Donald

[JayJunior]

Love the Garden Mobile Donald. You defiantly have all the tools my freind.. You make we want to plant peas now. Great video production too

Jimmy

[webcajun]

Hey Jimmy... plan on planting some, they taste great........ Donald

[sadia102]

Wow look at that clever little huller. Got to get me one of those ride ons. lol Your preserves look great. Thanks for sharing.

[webcajun]

The sheller worked fine while brand new. The next day I needed a hammer and pliers to keep it going. LOL ............ Donald

[tinafisher]

Beautiful product Donald, and I love the music. I have never seen one of those doo dads that takes the peas out of the pod, I'm get me one of those! I bought a Vidalia chop wizard on your recommendation and I love it, thanks. Tell your family we love watching them help you, and the dogs, well they are precious.

God Bless you all.

[webcajun]

Those purple hull peas are the best tasting I've found, going to plant a lot more. Glad you enjoyed the video.......... Donald

[guest2424]

nice

[bonifide39observant]

To all gardeners I encourage you to call your congressman and have them vote "NO" on the new HR 875 bill pending to be passed. It is policing food, criminalizing organic gardeners and a violation of the 10th amendment...PLEASE read it...it will make gardening for the small farmer and the backyard gardener against the law!!!!

[iluvhotblondes]

i just read entire hr875 bill.

i am scared as you are 'bonifide' about politicians passing laws against small farms.

of course all politicians paid/bought off by corporate farms to pass such bills so that we HAVE to purchase shit from corporate stores.

but can you - or anyone else please - point out specifically in bill that threatens / prohibits 'farm sales' or such?

i'm thinking of buying 80 acres to grow veggies so i'm very concerned...

thanks to all

[BLBMZ]

OH MY GOSH, all this time I wouldnt plant peas because I couldnt see myself hulling them by hand....lol. Nice little gadget you have there Donald. I'll plant some next year for sure...lol. Thanks

[webcajun]

These "Top Pick" purple hull peas are some of the best. As the name implies they produce mostly on top of the plant making them easy to pick. When cooking em through in some onions, bacon or ham and don't invite the neighbors. LOL .......... Donald

[3CoolKats]

OMG that's a TON of peas you've got growing there Donald! And I see in the comments you're going to plant even more next year. Yep, I think an electric pea shelling contraption will certainly come in useful. That was a Correll plate you were shelling them into wasn't it? That's about the only kind of dishes I have. I love how I can stack so many of them in a small space.

[webcajun]

I've already giving about half away to family and friends so I planted another short row. The other day we made 14 pts. of pepper jelly and that's going fast too. So you can see I need a large garden. LOL

I think that was a hand me down Correll plate I was using. All the old stuff out the house I use in my shop. It's my outdoor kitchen........... Donald

[EmelinaChaCha]

You are a complete joy to watch. Thanks for making these videos.

[webcajun]

You're welcome........  Donald

[mywootgarden]

great to see the harvest!! thank you so very much for sharing :)

[webcajun]

You're very welcome....... Donald

[Praxxus55712]

I've never heard of pink eye peas. Are they similar to blay eyed peas? I have an addiction to black eyed peas and ham. I make alot of that during the winter in my crock pot.

[webcajun]

They do taste a lot like black eye peas but to me they're a lot better. I just love em with onions, bacon and Cajun seasoning. Now I'm getting hungry........ Donald

[TrapHunt]

Wow! You're gonna have to teach me how to "transport" (1:05) around the garden like that! I bet that saves a ton of time! LOL.

[webcajun]

That was a little Bayou Voodoo. Did you watch the vid till the very end? (eyes) I thought that was cool........... Donald

[AnnDossen]

Great video as always, thank you! That sheller hand crank is cool :)

[webcajun]

Hopefully I'll be able to get an electric one cause I do plan on planting a lot more peas next year. They are so good........ Donald

[crewlla]

did you make the shelling contraption or did you buy it. I think that would be awesome for peas.

[webcajun]

I bought it. It's not quite a tough as I'd like it to be but it's better than doing by hand......... Donald

[graphicsprincess]

Thanks for the video! I won't be canning any tomatoes this year they got attacked by late blight today. My tomato crops are ruined. :(

Parts of the Mid-West and North are getting hit hard by "late blight". :(

[webcajun]

You may have enough time to replant......... Donald

[ang2you]

Would you please adopt me and teach me? My grandma used to do all that and passed way too early for me to learn from her. :(

I remember snapping green beans with her. Good memories....

Love your vids. :)

[webcajun]

I'll adopt you but you'll have to earn your keep in the garden. LOL Snaped a few beans yesterday, cooked em and boy were they good. Thanks......... Donald

[JBL3470]

You make the best videos, I love em. Keep it up cant get enough.

[webcajun]

Glad you enjoy. Thanks........ Donald

[manicbuyer]

yummmm.... makes me want to can something!

[webcajun]

It would be a great past time this weekend......... Donald

[hitmhard]

Yes that was a cool device!! Thanks Don another great video!

[webcajun]

Sure is a lot quicker than doing it by hand. You're welcome........ Donald

[FIyingPengwin]

That is a really interesting shelling device. Great video again.

[webcajun]

Works pretty well. Saving up for an electric one. Planting a lot more peas next year. Thanks........ Donald

[atticus9799]

Why is it that seeing someone spread out their home canned bounty makes me a little weepy? I think because it reminds me of my Grandmothers and simpler times. Thanks for the video and the great advice with regard to the gardening. Noreen

[webcajun]

Hey Noreen... anyone can do it even if you don't have a garden. Go to your local famer's market and buy enough to eat fresh and to put up. Sure taste a lot better than the imported stuff and it's fun too........ Donald

[integrityfs]

I would trade lives with you right now. You are a very blessed man to have the wherewithall to be and do where you are and what you do.

[webcajun]

Being retired and living on the land you were born on .... priceless........... Donald

[EbolaV1rus]

The Lord has really blessed you.

[jstrunck]

Thanks Donald!

I like the intro!

Be good,

John

[webcajun]

Thanks John ......... Donald

[JollyMunkie]

How long does it take you to pick all those peas?

[webcajun]

The good part about it is they don't all ripen at the same time so you pick some every day. I planted 300 feet of em and it didn't take long to harvest, maybe 30-45 minutes a day.

[Sarahshutterbug]

Mmmmm those beans sure looked good at the end of processing. I really liked the pea sheller too. It must save alot of time shelling. Another great video :-)

[webcajun]

Once they've been processed it's just a matter of heating them up. The sheller is a lot faster than doing it by hand. Hope to get an electric one soon because I'm planting a lot more peas next year. Thanks........... Donald

[paintball227]

another well made vid. thanks for posting.

[webcajun]

Your very welcome........ Donald

[mintvagoo]

Great video Donald-- as always. Can you run more than one bean pod through the sheller at a time? Seeing all the canned veggies reminds me of my grandmothers pantry.

Webcajun videos are Youtubes comfort food-- they always bring back wonderful memories.

[webcajun]

I wouldn't recommend running more than one through at a time. IMHO...the machine is just not tough enough for that. Canning may take longer than freezing but it sure taste good. Thanks ........ Donald

[1DRock37167]

That sure was a nifty gadget for shelling peas, I learn something new from you every time Donald. Thanks for posting!

[webcajun]

It is a lot faster than shelling by hand. Thanks ........ Donald

[EbolaV1rus]

Yummy! I love how the peas make their own gravy, they are so tasty with a little bacon and onion.

Update: the lightweight septic tanks are too expensive, the cheapest one I could find was 900 bucks. I will let you know if I find anything more affordable.

[webcajun]

Easy to grow, harvest, shell and put up. The taste is outstanding, what more could anyone ask. LOL ........ Donald