It has returned an MP from the party at every election since 1964 – including Peter Mandelson, Labour's prince of darkness, who continues to insist he did not really mistake mushy peas for guacamole during one of his early reccies to the coastal town.
(Serves 2) 64perer person 1 onion, finely sliced, 9p 2 cloves of garlic, chopped, 6p 2 tbsp oil, 6p 150g long grain white rice, 6p 100ml white wine, 47p 300ml chicken stock, 2p 100gardenen peas, 12p ¼ savoy cabbage, finely sliced, 20p Handful of fresh parsley, chopped, 20p Heat the oil in a large frying pan on a medium heat, and add the onion and garlic.
Bring a pan of unsalted water to the boil and add the split peas.
"At first, we ate a lot of cauliflower, cabbage, potatoes and peas," she remembers.
Mustard greens or tubers that have been sun-dried, rubbed with salt and spices and allowed to ferment are a fantastic addition to vegetable dishes, especially those with peas and beans.
It's worth checking out the specials board but the chicken tikka masala is a safe bet, as is the muttar paneer – homemade cottage cheese and green peas cooked in spicy capsicum and tomato sauce.
Add some peas, slices of jarred or tinned artichokes or some crumbled goat's cheese (or any cheese you fancy).
"We grow potatoes, lettuce, peas, runner beans, parsnip.
Far be it from me to pronounce on the merits of the different fillings for arancini – you can keep it simple, as with the Silver Spoon's mozzarella and shredded ham, or complex, as with Locatelli's ragu with peas and cheese, though I think molten mozzarella is probably mandatory.
Sean O'Faolain considered no one spared: "We see the prostitute, the beastly peasant, the timid bourgeois, the civil servant – his favourite subjects – in an unpitying light that exposes their wrinkled faces, their painted gums, their frayed cuffs, their shifty eyes, their hearts that have dried like peas".
Add chilli or salt to taste, and serve with rice and peas or flatbreads.
