Lucky Food in America
There is a Southern saying that dictates eating habits in the Southern United States' New Year's: "Eat poor on New Year's, eat fat the rest of the year." A traditional Southern New Year's meal includes ham, corn bread, black-eyed peas and collard greens. Both peas/beans and large leafy collard greens are considered especially lucky additions to the dinner table. Dried peas/beans are thought to bring wealth because they look like little coins, in addition to the fact that they swell when cooked -- a sure sign of prosperity. Collard greens are considered lucky because they are green, like greenbacks -- money!
Lucky New Year’s Black-Eyed Peas There is no better way to start the New Year than with a bowl full of luck. And, according to tradition, eating a bowl of Lucky New Year’s Black-Eyed Peas (Hoppin' John salad) on New Year's Day will bring you good luck for the coming year. We always have it for New Year's Day while we watch football! Serve with a tossed salad and corn bread."
Submitted by: LYNN BCP
Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 55 Minutes
Ready In: 1 Hour 10 Minutes Yields: 8 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper,
chopped
5 stalks celery, chopped
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup brown rice
4 (15 ounce) cans black-eyed
peas with liquid (substitute Chick-peas)
1 (10 ounce) can diced
tomatoes and green chiles
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced
tomatoes