We all know the old Southern tradition: the first food eaten on New Year's Day should be black-eyed peas to bring luck and prosperity in the new year. This year, we put our own Southern twist on this classic dish and paired it with blackened fish .
Why do Southerners eat black-eyed peas on new year's?
According to legendary Southern food researcher John Egerton's Southern Food: At Home, On the Road, In History, black-eyed peas are associated with a “ mystical and mythical power to bring good luck .” As for collard greens, they're green like money and will ensure you a financially prosperous new year.
When Should black-eyed peas be eaten?
“Eat poor on New Year's, and eat fat the rest of the year” is a popular Southern expression, according to The Farmers' Almanac. If you believe that theory, it makes perfect sense to dine on peas on January 1 . Black-eyed peas swell when they're cooked, which symbolizes an expansion of wealth.
Are black-eyed peas healthy?
Like other beans, black eyed peas are highly nutritious and are a good staple food. Black eyed peas are rich in fiber and protein, which make them an excellent energy source.
Do black-eyed peas need to be soaked?
Soaking is not essential for black-eyed peas , but cooking time can be shortened if they get a quick soak in hot water (as opposed to a longer one in cold water, like other beans). Place dried peas in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove pot from heat and allow to stand for 60-90 minutes.
How do you thicken black eyed pea juice?
You can also make a slurry of 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and about a cup or so of cool water, or some of the bean liquid . If you use the bean liquid, remove it first and set it aside to cool slightly.
What does cabbage mean on New Years?
Greens – (collards, mustard or turnip greens, cabbage, etc.) symbolize the green of “dollar bills,” and will ensure you have a financially prosperous New Year . Black-eyed peas symbolize “coins,” and point to monetary gain. Cornbread, with its yellow hue, represents “gold.”
What should you not eat on new year's day?
- Poultry & Winged Fowl. You should avoid eating anything with wings on New Year's Day because it is believed your good luck will “fly away” with your meal. ...
- Lobster, Shrimp & Crab. ...
- Bottom-Feeding Fish. ...
- White-Colored Foods. ...
- Short Noodles. ...
- Keep Leftovers. ...
- Don't Pass the Knife.
What does hog jowl mean on New Years?
Hog jowl is used to season beans and peas, or fried and eaten like bacon. On New Year's Day, hog jowls are traditionally eaten in the south to ensure health, prosperity and progress . The south isn't the only place that eats pork on New Year's Day.
What do you eat with black-eyed peas on new year's?
Cornbread, often served with black-eyed peas and greens, represents gold. For the best chance of luck every day in the year ahead, one must eat at least 365 black-eyed peas on New Year's Day. Black-eyed peas eaten with stewed tomatoes represent wealth and health.
Why do you eat cornbread on new year's day?
Cornbread
A staple for any Southerner's meal, cornbread is especially important as a traditional Southern New Year's Day. food The color is considered to represent gold, and eating it is thought to bring you spending money in the prosperous new year . For deeper pockets, toss in some corn kernels.
What is a traditional new year's day dinner?
Greens, pork, and cornbread, as well as black-eyed peas, cowpeas, or beans , are some of the typical symbolic foods served on New Year's Day. When planning your dinner menu, add the Southern foods that some say bring good luck and avoid those that may do just the opposite in the new year.
Are black-eyed peas good for high blood pressure?
Regulates Blood Pressure
While you are on your way to getting healthy or are recovering from a heart attack, maintaining your blood pressure, black-eyed peas have a high amount of potassium in them, which helps with keeping your blood pressure at bay .
What is the healthiest bean to eat?
- Chickpeas. Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are a great source of fiber and protein. ...
- Lentils. Lentils are a great source of vegetarian protein and can be great additions to soups and stews. ...
- Peas. ...
- Kidney Beans. ...
- Black Beans. ...
- Soybeans. ...
- Pinto Beans. ...
- Navy Beans.
Do black-eyed peas cause gas?
Precautions. For some people, black-eyed peas may cause stomach pain, gas, and bloating due to their content of raffinose , a type of fiber that can contribute to digestive issues ( 17 ). Soaking and cooking dried beans can reduce the content of raffinose and make them much easier to digest ( 17 ).
How long do black-eyed peas cook?
Cook the beans: Once your beans are done soaking, rinse and drain them. Add them to a pot over the stove and cover with at least two inches of water or stock. Add any salt or aromatics. Simmer until the beans are tender, about an hour .
Are canned black eyed peas cooked?
Canned Black Eyed Peas are fully cooked . In fact, you don't want to cook them too much longer or they start becoming mashed beans. Because they're fully cooked, you could eat them right out of the can, if you wanted.
Can you eat black-eyed peas raw?
Black-eyed peas can be eaten raw — like green peas or edamame — or dried and used for cooking, often after soaking to reduce cooking time. They can also be bought canned.
Can I use flour to thicken beans?
Add Flour And Butter
Instant flour will produce a nice thick texture similar to that of bean starches . However, it will also turn the sauce opaque. If you don't want that, you can use regular flour instead. Just be sure to cook the beans longer than you would with instant flour.
How do I make soup beans thicker?
Add a thickening agent .
In a separate bowl, dissolve a teaspoon or two of cornstarch or all-purpose flour in a small amount of cold water. Add the slurry to the bubbling soup. The soup should thicken up. Add more cornstarch or flour as needed until the soup reaches your desired consistency.
How do you make beans thicker?
There's more than one way to thicken beans. For example, a slurry of cornstarch and water works well when cooked into the beans . Adding tomato paste, ketchup, or instant potato puree can also help thicken and reduce the liquid. If you want to avoid any additives, you can puree some of the beans to thicken the dish.
Can you eat eggs on New Years?
Yes, a little out there but if you are looking for a superstition that is rooted in a little more logic, then the other superstition of the Chinese variety is that you shouldn't eat white foods, including eggs because the color symbolizes death . So, any white foods are a no-no during New Year's Day.
Can you wash your hair on New Year's day?
Clean the house before New Year if you don't want to wash away your fortunes. No cutting hair, fingernails or other things during the first few days. Washing hair on the first day is also not a good idea .
Can you eat steak on New Year's Eve?
Corned beef and cabbage. Corned beef and cabbage on New Year's is associated with the fortune you should hope for in the coming year. Beef or pork is the meat of choice because unlike chickens these animals do not scratch in the dirt for their food.
Can you eat fish on new year's Eve?
Fish. Fish is believed to be a lucky New Year's Eve food because fish's scales resemble coins, and they swim in schools, which invokes the idea of abundance.
What food is good luck on new year's day?
- Pork and Sauerkraut: Progress. ...
- Grapes: Good Luck for 12 Months Ahead. ...
- Pomegranate: Fertility, Life, and Abundance. ...
- Fish: Abundance. ...
- Noodles: Longevity. ...
- Rice: Fertility & Wealth. ...
- Round Cake: The Full Circle of Life.
What does it mean when you kiss someone at midnight on New Years?
“If you're awake at midnight on New Year's Eve and if you're with other people, kisses will likely be exchanged.” There is no definite explanation of why the kiss was done, but McCrossen said it most likely was meant to wish good luck going into the next year .
