1 lb Black-eyed peas; dried
1    Piece skin from a smoked
-ham or
2 oz Slab bacon; diced
1/4 c  Pork rib drippings or
Fried chicken drippings or
Bacon drippings
3/4 ts Salt
1/4 ts Black pepper; ground
1/2 ts Sugar

1) Pick over the peas to remove stones and dirt. Rinse the peas well and
soak them in cold water for 20 minutes. Drain well.

2) Combine the peas and the remaining ingredients in a large pot. Pour in
enough cold water to cover the peas by 1 inch. Heat to simmering and cook,
covered, until the peas are tender but not mushy, about 1 1/2 hours. Keep
an eye on the peas while they are cooking and add more water to keep them
covered if necessary.