Drain and rinse the soaked black-eyed peas. In a large pot, cover them with water and cook until tender, about 30-45 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a large pan or pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
Add the finely chopped onions and sauté until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and ginger, and cook for another 2 minutes until fragrant.
Add the chopped tomatoes and tomato paste to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes until the tomatoes are softened and the mixture thickens.
Stir in the ground cumin, paprika, ground coriander, ground chili powder, and salt. Cook for another 2 minutes to blend the spices.
Add the cooked black-eyed peas to the pan, along with 1-2 cups of water or vegetable broth. Stir well to combine.
If using, add the chopped red bell peppers.
Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the flavors are well combined and the sauce has thickened. Stir occasionally.
Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.
Enjoy your meal!