Probably got a rogue plant. Zipper is usually pretty consistant, but another variety could have been mixed in. Cowpeas do cross pollinate easily so the seeds could have beeen compromised that way.

Thanks Farmer D! I guess a rogue plant, maybe a sport, it looks identical in all ways except size. Only a handful of the seeds I planted germinated, so I'm thinking each individual vine out there is actually incredibly prolific.

You may have gotten a seed of a "Lady Pea". The peas are very similar to Zipper Creams, but very very small. Zipper Creams are my absolute favorite cowpea. You made a great choice!

Thanks Donna! I think it might have been your description of them plus FarmerDills that made me want to try them. I've also grown PEPH and brown crowder peas, but these are my favorite so far! A lady pea sounds intriguing. I'm taking all the small pods and letting them dry, I figure I will be able to get them shelled easier that way. I finally have got the knack of cooking them right, and we like them so much! I even have home rendered lard from a pasture-raised, organic, heritage hog to cook them in, yes ma'am!

Lady peas are really small. If you want to try small peas White Acre is small but large enough to shell. {{gwi:109895}} {{gwi:109896}}

Thanks, FarmerDill! If these are indeed lady peas, they certainly are hard to shell. But the seeds are so small I bet they cook real quick even when dried.