Black peas - I am presuming they are dried - need to be steeped overnight ideally. Place in pan with a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda and enough boiling water to the top of the pan, as the peas will swell.
Rinse thoroughly to wash off the bicarb, place in fresh water with a pinch of salt and bring to the boil, simmer for about 20 mins.
Delicious with vinegar on them!