Black-Eyed Pea Chile Verde

A hearty and flavorful Mexican-inspired stew combining tender black-eyed peas and smoky ham hocks in a vibrant green chile sauce made from roasted poblanos, serranos, and tomatillos. This comforting dish is finished with cool sour cream and fresh chives.

6 servings
3 hr 10 min

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 whole smoked ham hocks
  • 2 large onions
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • ¾ teaspoon ground coriander
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 cups black-eyed peas
  • 3 whole poblano chiles
  • 4 whole serrano chiles
  • 1 pound tomatillos
  • to taste Kosher salt
  • 2 cups cilantro leaves
  • to taste black pepper
  • to taste sour cream and chives

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Heat 2 Tbsp. oil in a medium Dutch oven or other heavy pot over medium. Sear ham hocks, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 6-8 minutes. Add chopped onion and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until very soft and beginning to brown around the edges, 8-10 minutes. Add coriander and cumin and cook, stirring, just until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 6 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover pot, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until hocks begin to soften, about 1 hour.

    70 min

  2. 2.

    Add black-eyed peas to pot, cover, and cook, skimming foam from surface, until hocks and black-eyed peas are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Remove hocks; let cool. Pick meat from bone and shred; discard fat and bones. Return meat to pot.

    90 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400°F. Toss quartered onion, poblano chiles, and half of serrano chiles and tomatillos on a rimmed baking sheet with remaining 1 Tbsp. oil; season lightly with salt. Roast, tossing occasionally, until lightly browned around the edges but still vibrantly colored, 15-20 minutes. Let cool.

    20 min

  4. 4.

    Transfer chile mixture to a blender; add cilantro and remaining serrano chiles and tomatillos and purée until smooth.

    5 min

  5. 5.

    Stir purée into bean mixture; season with salt and pepper. Serve chile verde topped with sour cream and chives.

    5 min

  6. 6.

    Chile verde can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.