The tradition of eating black-eyed peas for good luck on New Years can originally be linked to the Jewish New Year, Rosh-Hashana, which called for eating the legumes because they were marked with the Jewish symbol of good luck.
In addition, the practice of eating black-eyed peas for luck is generally believed to date back to the Civil War. At first planted as food for livestock, and later a food staple for slaves in the South, the fields of black-eyed peas were ignored as Sherman’s troops destroyed or stole other crops, thereby giving the humble, but nourishing, black-eyed pea an important role as a major food source for surviving Confederates.
Besides all this, they're very yummy! And good for you!
Here's my easy-black-eyed-peasy recipe for New Year's good luck. I made these today, but like all bean dishes, they're best on the second or third day. We'll be eating these tomorrow with some corn bread, which is a good luck symbol for gold on New Year (to be eaten with the lucky legumes).
If you don't have time to do these in a crock-pot, no worries. Just cook them on a simmer on your stovetop until they are nice and tender (bring to boil first, then reduce to simmer)
Happy New Year!
Easy Black-Eyed Peasy
1 pound dried black-eyed peas, rinsed
1 ham bone (or 1 1/2 cups cooked, chopped ham)
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 packet of Goya Ham Seasoning
1 tablespoon pepper
1/2 tablespoon hot sauce
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
Place all ingredients in a crock-pot and cook on low for 7-8 hours, or until tender. Remove ham bone and pick off all meat; return ham meat to crock-pot. Serve hot with cornbread or stewed greens (or both!).
Monday, December 31, 2012
Friday, December 21, 2012
Meowy Christmas Everyone!
This is Lucy, a.k.a "Miss Thang" who will do just about anything for a treat.
Wishing all of you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday filled with love...and maybe some cheese.
Wishing all of you a happy, healthy, and safe holiday filled with love...and maybe some cheese.
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