Do you eat Black Eyed Peas on New Years? We moved to Texas when I was 8, and that first New Years' was interesting. We had dinner at the Black Eyed Pea Restuarant even though no one in my family eats peas or beans, well, except Alyssa now as she loves the stuff that makes me gag.
There is lots of information about this "tradition". Which side are you on?
Are you on the side where the tradition was made up and created by Elmore Torn, Sr in 1947? Or are you on the side that truly believes you need to eat black eyed peas to make it through the new year?
See, Black eyed peas were a staple in the south for workers. It wasn't until WWI when this food was eaten by the middle and upper class to take the place of meats as those were getting scarce and expensive.
Elmore thought every other major holiday was known for a food. Thanksgiving & Christmas is Turkey, Easter is Ham, Fourth of July & Labor Day is hotdogs and burgers... New Years needed a food.
As I sat in the restuarant and watched people eat these nasty looking things, I wondered why anyone would make such a tradition. Yuck!
To this day, I've never had a black eyed pea, and I probably never will. Good luck to everyone in the new year whether you eat those things or not!
Good luck, Heath, Wealth, Love, and Prosperity in 09!
If you've never had one, how can you say yuck?! lol You have to try something before you decide if it's yuck or not (is what I tell my 11-year-old). It's just a bean. I don't know where it started, but this is a cute blog. I have black eyed peas soaking right now, going to make a bean & rice casserole later. I love beans, and if they're good luck I figure why not give it a try!
Donna, I agree that black eyed peas have sort of a flat taste to them, but much in the bean family does. Actually as far as a fiber source they are very good for you. My tastes have actually widened as I have gotten older and things I used to say yuck to I now eat. Go figure. Happy New Year Donna to YOU and your family!!
I've eaten black eyed peas, but do not care for them. So today, I am preparing corn beef and cabbage and potatoes with pinto beans. Of coursse, you have to have cornbread. Happy New Year!
We had our traditional Black Eyed Peas to start the New Year. Like I really needed anything else to eat. It seems I have been eating non stop since Thanksgiving!
I eat them every year, This year I mixed them with chickpea's, tomatoes, green onions, black olives, capers, and Olive oil & Balsamic Vinegar topped with hard boiled eggs and It is delicious, plus high in protien & fiber
Donna! Did you say that?
To this day, I've never had a black eyed pea, and I probably never will.
Did you?
How do you know you hate them till you've tried some really good ones? I love the little beaners. In fact my hubby is cooking some up for us as we speak for our "good luck" meal with a side of cabbage that insures "wealth". Now, who came up with that one?
Happy New Year! Deb
Victor, You too!
Chris, I've tried other beans before and YUCK!
Gary, I don't like any beans, except french style green beans, but those don't count as they're nothing like mushy beans.
Rebecca, I love cornbread, but haven't found any down here like we used to eat in WA.
Mike&Cindy, but they're good for you...
Jane, I'm sure that meal is taste to you, but to me, there is so much wrong with that combination, my stomach turned... Happy new year!
Deb, You know some foods just cause a gag reflex. I tell Mexican restaurants to not dare get beans anywhere on my plate, and get double rice. I've tried other beans before, and their texture, just like beets, is very gross to me.
I think Blackeye peas on New Years Day are a "southern" tradition. My dad was from Arkansas and this was a family tradition for us. When I lived in GA and MS it seemed to be the tradition there as well. No matter it is all good and the best in 2009!
Black-eyed peas are on our table every New Year's. Made with bacon, chicken bouillon, onions, garlic, red pepper flakes, a bit of jalapeno, and a couple of other secret ingredients, they are delicious! Go very well with the collard greens (for financial well-being) and cornbread (ditto).
This year we had Pioneer Woman's Spicy Shredded Pork, as well.
I was born in 1949, so can't speak authoritatively to the 1947 story, but I do know that my mother, born in 1913, said that she'd always had them for New Year's Day dinner. I thought the origin went back to the War Between the States and the lack of anything else to eat, myself.
Be that as is may, I would never, ever let a New Year's Day go by without my family having black-eyed peas! (Even when they're living in New York City!)
Hi Donna - black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is a southern tradition, so you'll find southerners, even transplanted ones, enjoying them on New Year's Day. My family is one that would never let a New Year's Day pass without black-eyed peas being served. I had mine for dinner tonight with rice and cornbread. We season ours with ham, onion and some other spices. We have them at other times of the year as well, but always on New Year's Day no matter where we lived.
Happy New Year,
Ann
We have a good friend who use to work with us - we called her Carla-Yall! She introduced us to black eyed peas on New Years Day! Fun tradition! Thanks for sharing!
Is the Black Eyed Pea restuarant still around?
Donna - Just checking in... One of my kittens will be having good luck (or just superstition) with me this year. I left my Hoppin John and came back to find a little siamese head in the bowl. : )
Cindy, The best to you as well!
Tricia, Interesting recipe. Hope it was tasty.
Ann, Other times of the year?? Interesting... ;)
Jim, You forgot the ' in Y'all.
Dallas, Yes, there are a handful still around.
Chris, Thanks for checking in.
It's a new years tradition around here also. I like them OK but I don't do the new years thing.
How can you say you don't like them if you've never had them? Have you tried Green Eggs and Ham ... Sam I am???
Have a great and prosperous new year!
OH the food. I thought you were talking about using the bathroom after being popped in the eyeball with a champaign cork during a celebration!
I've never had one of those either, but I'm sure I do not like them. I don't like split pea soup either (though I never tried that either).
Around here New Years food is pork. Any pork will do.
Bob, It's one of those that if I don't like one, I don't like them all. Beans are icky, hense, black eyed peas are also icky.
Chad, I'm not a pork person, but my husband did slow smoke some pulled pork. It was ok, but I'm a chicken and Brisket girl myself.
Donna - I've never heard of that tradition. Black-eyed peas are okay, but I wouldn't order them on purpose. The only food I can think of that actually makes me gag is cranberry sauce... :)
Debi, Me too!! I like cranberry juice (with my Vodka), but can't stand cranberry sauce. It's almost like beets, even when they're made fresh as my mom makes them, but the can version is the worst!
Donna - Isn't that funny? Cranberry sauce is just - Yeck!- and that's the only food I can say that about. Unfortunately, I like just about anything else... :)
Debi, "I'm not a picky eater, there are just some things I don't like"....
I've also heard that eating corn is good luck as well. But stay away from "anything that flys" - i.e. chicken - because it could lead to your good fortune "flying away". I'm not superstitious though - and I didn't eat the black eyed peas. Have a GREAT 2009!
only eat em if I have to or visiting my mexican friends who want to wish me good luck on NYE
Kim, Corn, I'll eat. No flying things? Hmmm, I couldn't do that one. You also have a great year. Hope the kiddos are doing well.
Sonny, Even then, I would politely decline.
Donna,
I could tell you weren't a true Texan. A true Texan knows you eat black eyed peas with a dash of
Louisiana hot sauce.
Brenda, I've been here almost 25 years, but nope, not a "Texan". No boots, no hat, no wranglers, no black eyed peas!
I didn't know about this tradition - thanks!
I do love the San Antonio tradition of tamales at Christmas