New Year's Day Good Luck Tradition

Eating black eyed peas on New Year’s Day is essential for anyone in the South. No one in my family would even consider skipping this southern tradition for fear of having the promise of luck and prosperity that comes with this almost religious experience elude them. The black eyed pea, really a legume and not a pea, symbolizes good luck and prosperity for those that eat them on the first day of the new year. Dating back to Civil War days, legend has it that the fields were planted with black eyed peas to feed livestock and nourish the slaves. When Sherman’s troops marched through the South burning fields and confiscating crops, they left the fields of black eyed peas untouched giving the surviving Confederates a source of food to survive. Often eaten with turnip greens or collard greens, symbolic of green cash or dollars, the black eyed pea represents the coin. Legend also has it that eating cornbread, another tasty companion dish, fortells the the arrival of gold in the new year. Add stewed tomatoes to the black eyed peas and you get a promise of health with the impending prosperity.

Black eyed peas are also nutritious because they are low in fat (if you don’t cook them with pork, bacon or ham bone found in so many recipes). They have no cholesterol and they are low in sodium and high in potassium, iron and fiber.

I have cooked black eyed peas every way you can cook them. I have added a ham bone and cubed ham to the lot; cooked them with bacon and chicken broth; added chopped onion, garlic and tomatoes then served them over rice. But, several years ago, I figured out the perfect recipe, and it has become a family favorite both for flavor and because there is no fat added.

Laura’s New Year’s Day Black Eyed Peas

Take two packages of fresh or one package of dried black eyed peas and wash them thoroughly. Add water according to the directions on the package. Add one jar of Rose’s Just Right Red Salsa and cook until peas are soft and ready to serve.

If you don’t have access to Rose’s Just Right Red Salsa, the award winning Austin salsa that is made fresh from scratch every day and found in the cold section of the grocery usually by the milk and eggs, you can create your own. Mix two large fresh tomatoes chopped, tomato puree and salt. Add a handful of chopped fresh cilantro, chopped green onions, several cloves of minced fresh garlic, fresh Serrano pepper, fresh lime juice, extra virgin olive oil and sea salt. Mix together. The real secret ingredient to this salsa? Gobs of fresh, chopped cilantro! Eat and prosper!

Happy New Year to All!

Prosperity, Health and Peace in 2012!

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