Crowder Peas For Good Luck @ New Year's

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the onions and fennel and cook until soft.

2. 2

   Drain the crowder peas and add them to the pot. Add six cups of fresh cold water, plus all the ingredients through the brown sugar. Bring the pot to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Cover and cook for one hour.

3. 3

   Check after an hour to see that the peas have not absorbed all the water. If so, add more. The pot should still have a soup texture at this point.

4. 4

   Cook another 30-45 minutes, until beans are soft but still in one piece. Remove the bay leaf. Taste for seasoning and adjust. There should still be enough liquid so that the beans have a stew-like texture.

5. 5

   Add the cooked, drained rice to the pot and gently stir into the beans. Serve garnished with fresh chopped parsley.