December 29th, 2007
It’s Not New Year’s Without Black-Eyed Peas
Every culture has traditions, especially when it comes to “Luck” and the bringing in of a New Year. Being from the South, you would probably guess that our Southern Traditions includes food.
As long as I can remember, we’ve had black-eyed peas with ham on New Year’s Day. Even my father, who only ate meat, potatoes, and corn would eat a couple of spoonfuls (of course, he did it so my mother wouldn’t complain 
) The symbolism: black-eyed peas for luck and ham because eating pork is for prosperity (to live “high on the hog” in the new year).
I personally like to do mine in a crockpot….you can put them on the night before to have them for lunch (a great idea if you have a busy New Year’s Eve).
(Dried peas (and beans) need to be soaked overnight, by the way, when you are cooking in a crock pot. If you don’t have time to soak them, then put them in a pot, cover with water, bring to boil, lower heat and simmer for about 30 minutes)
Ingredients:
1 pound dried black-eyed peas
1 pound cooked ham (chopped)
2 onions (diced)
3 garlic cloves (pressed or chopped)
1/2 tsp salt (remember, ham is salty, don’t over salt!)
1/2 tsp fresh-ground pepper
One 14-ounce can or diced tomatoes (if you like spice, choose tomatoes with green chilies)
Instructions:
Sort through dried peas, removing any broken ones. Soak overnight, barely covered with water. The next morning, toss peas in a colander….you will want fresh water to cook with…and then place the peas in the crock pot. Cover peas with water. Add ham, onion, garlic, tomatoes, salt and pepper.
Cook in crock pot on low for 8 hours (or on high for 4 hours).
To be truly southern, serve these with cornbread (yum!).
There aren’t any facts behind this…but I’m not going to chance it by NOT following the traditions drummed into me the last 40-years.
I wish YOU luck & prosperity in 2008.
