Cowpeas, or Southern peas, are super-productive legumes, yielding plentitudes of 6¨C8" pods loaded with large, delicious seeds. The most popular of Southern pea varieties, ¡®California Blackeye¡¯ produces peas with rich, gently sweet flavor and good, meaty texture, to be enjoyed fresh or dried. For fresh use, pick pods as soon as they are packed with seeds. Heat-tolerant.