We had black-eyed peas and collard greens for lunch today. I'm not sure how many of you reading this tonight are from the south, but it's the law here.
"Yes ma'am, I got a report that you had pizza for New Years Day lunch. I'm afraid I'm going to have to run you in," said the county sheriff.
Every New Years meal that I can remember included black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread. If you asked a random person in the south over 40 years old, they'd tell you that eating those foods on New Years brings you luck and money throughout the year. I'm not sure what younger folks would say.
The only times I can remember not having this meal was the two years I spent in the Army.
The first year I was in New Jersey and when I asked for for black-eyed peas and greens, the mess sergeant , who was from Asbury Park, looked at me is if I had lobster claws protruding from my ears and snapping at him.
The second year was when I was in Panama. I asked for black-eyed peas and greens and the Panamanian cook plopped two egg rolls and a spoonful of chow mein on my plate, and smiled expectantly. He spoke very little English, and even less Appalachian English.
So folks from other parts of the world might ask, "Does eating black-eyed peas and greens, bring you luck and money all through the year. Absolutely!
Those two years I didn't have my New Years meal, I dressed in olive-drab green all year and received less money than most welfare recipients.
Happy New Year.
R
"Yes ma'am, I got a report that you had pizza for New Years Day lunch. I'm afraid I'm going to have to run you in," said the county sheriff.
Every New Years meal that I can remember included black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread. If you asked a random person in the south over 40 years old, they'd tell you that eating those foods on New Years brings you luck and money throughout the year. I'm not sure what younger folks would say.
The only times I can remember not having this meal was the two years I spent in the Army.
The first year I was in New Jersey and when I asked for for black-eyed peas and greens, the mess sergeant , who was from Asbury Park, looked at me is if I had lobster claws protruding from my ears and snapping at him.
The second year was when I was in Panama. I asked for black-eyed peas and greens and the Panamanian cook plopped two egg rolls and a spoonful of chow mein on my plate, and smiled expectantly. He spoke very little English, and even less Appalachian English.
So folks from other parts of the world might ask, "Does eating black-eyed peas and greens, bring you luck and money all through the year. Absolutely!
Those two years I didn't have my New Years meal, I dressed in olive-drab green all year and received less money than most welfare recipients.
Happy New Year.
R
I may live in the south, but I'm a "Yankee lady" as some kids once called me. I guess the sheriff gave me a Yankee reprieve for not eating all that . . . stuff. But I'm glad you had what you wanted while I had the last of the Christmas turkey.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
My mom used to cook black eyed peas a lot when I was small. I really don't care for them but I love corn bread. By the way I had pizza for my lunch. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhen I married Jack his family always had pork, sauerkraut, blackeyed peas and other things....I thought it was strange. His Mom was from Florida..that's still the south I think (even with the snow birds down there now!) Today, as we do every year, we had pork, sauerkraut, blackeyed peas and other stuff! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteRick! Now that makes me consider you superstitious. I never heard of eating certain foods on New Years Day. Never. But whatever works, BEST to you and Jilda!
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say I don't think I've ever eaten anything thinking it was good luck. Maybe a piece of our wedding cake on our one year anniversary, but that was nasty (no matter how well you wrap it and freeze it -- ick!). With the holidays over I've been craving fresh, raw vegetables. Kind of a cleansing of the system thing. You know, the holidays are over; let's get back to work!
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great year no matter what you eat.
thank you so much for stopping by and for your comment! i am loving your blog. i have heard that it's tradition to eat collard greens and black eyed peas in the south. love it!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried either and not sure I'd like too but I do love tradition!
ReplyDeleteMy family always eats sauerkraut on New Year's Eve. I personally don't partake :)
ReplyDeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR sir!!
I'm from the south and believe it or not, I've never heard of the collards/blackeye peas/grapes new years thing until I worked a produce department
ReplyDeleteHoly Moly, that is why my husband insisted I prepare black eyed peas for him on New Years. He just said it was his families tradition.
ReplyDeleteAs I said to Jilda, I learned something new today.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of this tradition before and I'm not superstitious.
I would be curious as to how this tradition started and why. It has spread obviously. All good food for the body though.
JB
Here Here to black eyed peas and greens !!
ReplyDeleteWe eat a lot of peas and greens. It's a healthy meal.
With our colds I am happy with my crock pot soup. It too has everything in it. Genuine soul food. :)
My grandparents always have collared greens and black-eyed-peas every New Years. (And sometimes just for fun!) In fact, this year they tried a spicy recipe. I didn't have any but I'm all for spice. And as for luck, it's brought my grandfather good fortune and my grandmother long life so I think it's worth a meal!
ReplyDeleteNever had any of that at my mat, happy new year to you!
ReplyDeleteLOL- Oh- How I miss living in the South. I really miss grits. You can't get them here and if you could-well, no one would eat them.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you in the upcoming year and I hope those black eyed peas and collard greens bring you luck and money! Diana
Rick, happy new year and will continue to stop by :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting. I love your blog. Well, I did not have collard greens, I had corned beef and cabbage, black eyed peas and corn bread. Yes indeed I am from the south! Happy New Year.
ReplyDelete