Black-eyed peas signify good luck for the New Year.
History
In the Southern U.S., eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is supposed to bring prosperity in the new year. The peas are cooked with a cut of pork for flavoring and salt (maybe bacon, maybe fatback, maybe hog jowl) and onion, and served with peppery vinegar and wilted greens — collard, turnip or mustard.
- The peas swell when cooked, so they stand for prosperity. Some people also say the beans symbolize coins.
- The greens stand for money — green bills! (My favorite, in case you are wondering.)
- The pork is used because pigs root forward when foraging, representing positive motion.
- Cornbread is served with the meal because it tastes darn good and it just belongs.
I adore black-eyed peas, and have found them so good in so many dishes.
Let’s get lucky!
Black-Eyed Pea Cowboy Caviar [1]
Black-Eyed Pea Quesadillas [2]
Black-Eyed Pea Hummus (Hoppin’ John Hummus) [3]
Sweet Potato, Black-Eyed Pea and Broccoli Bowl [4]
New Year’s Hoppin’ John Potato Salad [5]