Black-Eyed Peas Recipe for New Year's Day (or anytime!)

It is a tradition to eat black-eyed peas on New Year's Day.  The fun superstition surrounding black-eyed peas on New Years is that they will bring you good luck & prosperity throughout the coming year.

History tells us that tradition is founded in Southern folklore, yet it is clearly more widespread than just the Southern states of America.  

National Black-Eyed Pea Day is, of course, January 1.  

Does eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day actually bring good luck?   As much as I would like to say "yes", in reality, a superstition is just that and has no real basis in truth.  But, it is still a fun tradition and a delicious side dish.

If you really want to embrace the tradition, aka superstition, according to my mother, you would couple the black-eyed peas with cornbread.  The cornbread symbolizes gold.  Somehow, I think we would all devour black-eyed peas and cornbread enthusiastically on New Years Day if it would ensure good luck and wealth throughout the year!

I can tell you from experience, black-eyed peas coupled with cornbread becomes a complete and filling meal, not just two separate side dishes. 

 

Black-Eyed Peas Recipe

The best way to flavor black-eyed peas is with a ham bone.  I save my Christmas ham bone each year just so I can use it in my New Year's Day black-eyed peas.  

If you don't have a spare ham bone laying around, you can season black-eyed peas with bacon grease or 3 pieces of uncooked bacon.  The bacon cooks along with the peas.

Growing up, we shelled our own black-eyed field peas.  Today, I prefer using a bag of Camellia brand blackeyes.  I still soak them in water overnight like I did freshly shelled peas to soften them.

 

Instructions for Cooking Black-Eyed Peas

1. Rinse and Soak the black-eyed peas overnight or for 8 hrs
2. Rinse the peas again after soaking 
3. Place the ham bone (or bacon) in the center of the large (5 quart or larger) dutch oven pan and arrange the peas around it
4. Add Salt & Pepper
5. Cover the Peas with Water
6. Bring to a boil, then turn down to a low boil, cover the pan with a tilted lid, allowing steam to escape
7. Cook on low boil for 1½ hour

You will need to stir them often and check the water level.  Add water as needed to keep the peas covered. 

 

Click Here forMom's Cornbread Recipe

 

 T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized Nonstick Cookware Set 12 Piece, Oven Broiler Safe 400F, Lid Safe 350F -
I USE THE 5 qt DUTCH OVEN in this set Camellias Black Eyed Peas, 16 Oz

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