A hearty and traditional Latvian dish made with grey peas, crispy smoked bacon, and caramelized onions – a perfect comfort meal for winter and festive occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 cups dried grey peas
- 1 tsp salt (for boiling)
- 200 g smoked bacon, diced
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp butter or oil (for frying)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional) 🌿
- Rye bread, for serving 🍞
Instructions
- Soak the peas overnight in cold water for at least 12 hours. Drain and rinse before cooking. 🕛
- In a large pot, boil the peas in salted water until tender (around 45–60 minutes). Drain and set aside. 🫗
- While the peas are cooking, fry the diced bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside. 🥓
- In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion in the bacon fat (add butter if needed) until golden and caramelized. 🧅
- Add the cooked peas to the pan, along with the crispy bacon. Mix everything well and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve warm with dark rye bread on the side. Garnish with parsley if desired. 🍽️
Notes
🇱🇻 Grey Peas with Bacon (Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi) – A Latvian Classic Comfort Food 🥓🌱
When visiting Latvia, one dish you simply must try is the hearty and traditional Pelēkie zirņi ar speķi, or Grey Peas with Bacon. 🇱🇻 This iconic recipe holds a special place in the hearts (and stomachs) of Latvians and has even been registered as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) in the European Union. But this dish is more than just food — it’s a symbol of heritage, resilience, and prosperity, often served during Christmas and New Year celebrations as a good luck charm for the coming year. 🥂✨🫘 What Are Latvian Grey Peas?
Latvian grey peas are a unique, heirloom legume variety that closely resemble chickpeas, but they’re:- Darker in color 🌫️
- Larger in size 💪
- Firmer in texture 🧱
- Richer in flavor, with a nutty, earthy undertone 🌰
- Large Grey Peas – The traditional kind, now rarer and harder to cultivate.
- Smaller Grey Peas – More widely available in stores and restaurants.
💡 Why You’ll Love Grey Peas with Bacon
✅ Hearty comfort food perfect for winter evenings✅ A historically significant dish tied to Latvian culture
✅ High in protein and fiber – great for energy and digestion
✅ A must-try for food travelers seeking authentic Baltic cuisine
🏠 Where to Eat It in Latvia
You’ll find this traditional dish in: 🍽️ Latvian taverns & folk-style restaurants🏡 Home kitchens during holidays and family gatherings
🎄 Christmas markets in Riga, where it’s served piping hot in wooden bowls with rye bread
🍽️ How Grey Peas with Bacon Are Served
- 🥓 Topped with crispy smoked bacon
- 🧅 Enhanced with sweet caramelized onions
- 🍞 Served with dark rye bread on the side for a perfect flavor balance
- ❄️ Best enjoyed warm, especially during the chilly Baltic winters
This sounds amazing! Grey peas are a new one for me, but that bacon and onion combo has me sold. I’m wondering, how long does the whole cooking process usually take, from soaking to serving? Can’t wait to try this!