The Black-Eyed Peas on New Year’s Tradition

The humble black-eyed pea offers nutrition, variety and a tradition of good luck when you eat it on new year’s day. While the exact time of its entry into American cuisine may seem lost in history, it probably arrived with the African slaves in the 1700s. Southern tradition holds that eating it on the first day of the year brings good luck for the next 364. In addition to its nutty taste and pleasing texture, the black-eyed pea provides numerous health benefits.

Enriching Flavor with Greens

The natural goodness of black-eyed peas becomes even more inviting when you enhance it with collard greens. In addition to its soluble fiber, vitamins A, B and K, the dish pairs well with the pungent flavor of collards. More vitamins A, B and K come with the greens, enhancing the flavor and bringing healthful antioxidants. The convenience of using canned peas makes a dish easy to prepare. The density of the pea makes it a reliable dish for satiating appetites, and the high fiber content keeps hunger away for hours.

Choosing a Contemporary Influence

The popularity of salsa makes it worthy of consideration in a dish of black-eyed peas for new year’s. The flavor enhancement that red and scallions, green pepper, garlic, green pepper, tomatoes and spices bring to the simple pea creates a dramatic version of an old southern favorite. The rich abundance of vegetables adds only a minimum amount of calories to the dish while making it colorful, tasty and highly nutritious.

Sticking to Traditional Preparation

The slow cooking method occupies an honored position in Southern cuisine. A crockpot can emulate the taste and consistency of a pot of black eyes that cooked slowly over a low heat in many a Southern home. While providing the convenience of a dish that you can serve after a day at work, it offers the benefit of preparing dried peas. Requiring only a short time to soak, they provide a satisfying meal with the traditional taste of a dish that needs only a slice of cornbread to make it complete. Still a low-calorie dish even with ham and bacon flavoring, the dish can become a favorite comfort food in the best of Southern traditions.

Sharing the Spotlight with Hummus

Much more versatile than the chickpea, the black-eyed pea can make a delicious dip that may surprise anyone who relies on hummus as a staple for parties. While hummus requires tahini to make it smooth, a black eye pea dip includes cheeses that greatly add to the flavor. Served hot from the oven, the dip offers a more interesting combination of tastes and textures that make hummus seem boring. Easy to put together and a spectacular dish that a new year’s day football crowd can enjoy, the dip gives guests a healthy and tasty treat with chips.

Creating Warmth and Comfort with Soup

A surprisingly satisfying cup of soup can serve as a complete meal that warms the body and soul. The convenience of using canned black-eyed peas appeals to many busy hosts during the holiday season, making them a favorite for entertaining guests. A secret ingredient that makes the dish even more satisfying, cheese thickens the broth and quells hunger for many hours. Spices, bacon and aromatics deepen the intense flavor of the dish that cooks to perfection in about an hour.

Choosing Stovetop Cooking

The richness and depth of flavor of black-eyed peas develop into a delicious blend that satisfies each guest at new year’s day parties. The blend of aromatics and broth creates an almost irresistible aroma that heightens the anticipation of a delicious dish. An amazing taste treat awaits anyone who can find fresh peas in the grocery or at a farmers market as they capture nature’s goodness as it comes from the field. However, the dish works equally well with the frozen black eyes that every market offers for cooks who provide nutritious meals for family and friends. Finding fresh black eyes in the market may give a cook a chance to enjoy them as many in the South have done for many years.

Enjoying a Nutritious Caviar Substitute

The defined shapes and textures of black-eyed peas and kernel corn may resemble caviar to imaginative cooks, but the taste matters more than the name. The refrigerated dip needs a few hours to marinate and blend its flavors. Guests respond with delight to an unusual combination of vegetables that many may taste for the first time. An inexpensive dish to prepare, the caviar substitute provides a rich mix of tasty ingredients that get an emphasis from aromatics and a spicy dressing. Best served with a crunchy chip, the black-eyed pea dip can delight guests trying it for the first time or the latest of many.

Introducing a Southern Classic

Probably as many recipes for Hoppin’ John exist as the number of cooks who prepare the dish. Nutritionists have long recognized the combination of peas and rice as a balance that provides health benefits. The satisfying blend of a broth flavored with ham and chicken with soaked, dried black-eyed peas pleases any new year’s day party guest. While recipes may differ in the ingredients that cooks choose to include, a common feature requires serving the dish over white rice. A surprisingly tasty enhancement occurs with the addition of vinegar that sharpens the flavors. While tradition calls for serving the dish with white rice, some cooks prefer to use brown.

Taking a Trip through History with Southern Cuisine

New year’s day guests can enjoy a Southern tradition of good luck and tasty food that share a basis in black-eyed peas. Long a staple that provides nutrition, fiber, appealing flavors and satisfying warmth, the black-eyed pea plant may have arrived in America along with African slaves. Over time, the inexpensive pea achieved a reputation for its ability to satisfy hunger and please the palate at the same time. More recently, cooks have discovered that its versatility makes it an excellent choice for party guests. As a dip, soup or main dish, it can distinguish the table of the most discerning cook. The uniqueness of serving a dish that may bring good luck to guests for a year may make a party memorable as everyone hopes for an invitation year after year.

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