Old-Fashioned Black Eyed Pea Soup

Stovetop
2 Cut bacon into small pieces and fry until crisp.
4 Remove the bacon from the pan and set aside, reserving the bacon grease in the pan.
6 Add the chopped onions and garlic and cook until almost tender.
8 Add the remaining ingredients except the bacon.
10 Simmer for 15 minutes.
12 Add the bacon just before serving.
14 Add a generous spoonful of the cooked greens to each bowl before adding the soup. This way people who don't like greens can enjoy this recipe as well.
Slow Cooker
18 Cut bacon into small pieces and fry until crisp. Set aside.
20 Add all of the ingredients except the bacon to the slow cooker. Stir in a tablespoon or two of the bacon grease.
22 Simmer for 8 to 10 hours or until black eyed peas are cooked and flavors have blended.
24 Add the bacon just before serving.