Black-Eyed Peas on New Year's Day

Did you Know? Some believe that the practice of eating black-eyed peas for good luck in the upcoming year dates back to the Civil War. During Sherman's famous march through Georgia, it is widely believed that the General ignored the fields of black-eyed peas while destroying other crops as the pea was a major food staple of plantation slaves. As a result, the black-eyed pea also became a major food source for those left in the wake of the Northern troops.

Black-eyed peas were farmed in China and India in pre-historic times and often eaten by the ancient Greeks and Romans. Records show that the peas were transported from West Africa to the West Indies by slaves as early as 1674. The USDA reports that the peas, (which are acutally legumes) are high in potassium, iron, and fiber. A half cup serving is the same as one ounce of lean meat.

Another explanation of the tradition says that black-eyed peas were all southern slaves had to celebrate with on the first day of January, 1863...the day the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect. From that time on,the  peas were always eaten on January 1. Today, black-eyed peas are traditionally served with collard, mustard or turnip greens, pork, and cornbread. And don't forget...each pea represents one day of good luck in the new year, so one must eat 365 peas on New Year's Day to ensure prosperity for the entire year!

Mike Kearby's Texas Copyright 2011