On New Year’s Day, it’s a Southern tradition to eat black-eyed peas with greens. It symbolizes how much luck you’ll receive for the next 365 days, with the peas signifying coins and the greens representing dollars. Black-eyed peas originated in West Africa; in the 1700s, they were brought to the Americas and grown by enslaved people. A famous Black scientist, George Washington Carver, promoted legumes because growing beans put nitrogen back into the soil. Today, black-eyed peas are available throughout the World. Perhaps the tradition could spread worldwide too because everyone deserves good fortune.
George Washington Carver
To that famous Southern tradition, we add a massive chunk of salt pork, bacon, smoked meat, and some water to give the dish depth and heart. The bean dish does the trick like greens; it fills you up and gives you vital nutrients during the colder month of January. I begin my year making a fantastic black-eyed pea chili, and it’s very filling for gaining some good luck! And I love good luck and fortune!
