TIP:
    Use very little wood when you begin smoking vegetables, until you establish what tastes right to you. It doesn't take much wood to flavor vegetables.
      Black Eyed Pea Cakes with Smoked Tomato Salsa
    Ingredients Method
    1 c. dried black-eyed peas, rinsed and picked for stones
    1 small ham hock, about 1/2 lb.
    5 c. chicken stock
    1 Tbs. butter
    1/2 c. red onion, minced
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    2 Tbs. red bell pepper, minced
    1 Jalapeño, minced
    1 egg yolk
    1/2 c. bread crumbs
    1/2 tsp. hot sauce
    2 Tbs. parsley, minced
    To taste salt and pepper
    Cornmeal for dredging
    Oil for frying
    Combine peas, ham hock, stock. Bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until tender. Drain, remove hock. Cool peas to room temperature.Melt butter, sauté onion, garlic, bell pepper, jalapeño, cook until golden. Add peas and cool.Add yolk, bread crumbs, hot sauce, parsley, salt and pepper. Mix well to squash together. Test to see if stiff enough to shape. Add more crumbs if necessary.

    Refrigerate for one hour.

    Shape into1/2" thick by 21/2" across. Dredge in cornmeal.
    Heat oil and fry.