Black Eyed Peas Recipe (with Ham) (2024)

FAQs

What meat goes best with black-eyed peas? ›

Jambalaya, a Cajun dish, and Hoppin' John, a traditional Southern dish combining black-eyed peas, rice, and pork, are popular choices. These pairings create a well-rounded and satisfying meal. Most any pork main course and nearly any barbecued beef; barbecued or grilled chicken go well, also.

Pork and more so ham! That's because pork is considered lucky because of the way pigs “root forward.”Cornbread because the kernels represent coins. Ring-shaped items like doughnuts also symbolize good luck!

Stew your black-eyed peas with tomatoes and they become a symbol of wealth and health. One unusual but common New Year's Day black-eyed peas tradition involves putting actual money in the dish. Some add to their “luck” by cooking their pot of peas with a penny or dime inside.

Canned black-eyed peas are best in recipes that don't require slow cooking or a long cook time, which can make them mushy. If you're using canned black-eyed peas, simply rinse them in a colander to remove any liquid from the can as well as excess salt. Then you're good to go!

Drain your beans from the soaking liquid and give them a quick rinse under cold water. Place beans in a large pot and cover them with 4 inches of chicken stock. Simmer, covered, for about 1 hour. Start checking after 45 minutes to see if they are tender and add more broth or water as necessary to keep them covered.

Collard greens are a traditional pairing with black-eyed peas. Slow-cooked with a bit of bacon or ham hock, they bring a smoky, earthy flavor to the meal.

If you don't want your luck to fly away in the new year, it's best to avoid any animal that has wings and scratches in the dirt, like turkey or chicken. These birds scratch backward, which can imply dwelling in the past or—even worse—the need to scrape by for your living.

Looking for prosperity? As Southern tradition dictates, black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread represent pennies, dollars, and gold, respectively, so eating them together on New Year's will keep your purse full all year long.

Don't Clean the House on New Year's Day - You will wash away any good luck coming your way.

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 exactly 365 black-eyed peas, no more or less. Black-eyed peas eaten with stewed tomatoes represent wealth and health.

Why do people put black-eyed peas in their purse? ›

And that even today, many people carry one in their bag or pocket for prosperity. And that the significance of the pea in West African and diasporic cultures included a symbol of fertility, offerings for spirits, protection from the evil eye, and good luck.

If you are planning to celebrate the New Year in the Southeast, it is most likely that you will be offered black-eyed peas in some form, either just after midnight or on New Year's Day.

Drain the canned black eyed peas, then add them to the pot along with the oregano, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine. Place a lid on the pot, turn the heat up to medium high, and bring the pot up to a boil.

I cook about 2 slices of bacon til crispy, add drained black eyed peas (canned), along with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. I usually like Lowry's seasoned pepper but plain black pepper is good. Plus about half a cup of water or even broth. The beans can get very dry, so I always add some liquid.

Drain them the next day and bring them to a boil in cold water, then reduce the heat so the water barely simmers: dried black-eyed peas can overcook, and a rolling boil could cause them to break apart. Taste the peas often to check their doneness: They should be creamy but retain their shape.

Often referred to as hoppin' john, black-eyed peas and collard greens are commonly eaten as part of a Southern tradition to bring forth good luck and prosperity in the new year.

Find the recipe for black eyed pea fritters and more in Mariah-Rose's new international cookbook and guide, COOK LIKE YOUR ANCESTORS. It's a tradition for Southern people — especially those of African descent — to eat black-eyed peas around the New Year to bring good luck and prosperity for the year ahead.

If you are cooking black-eyed peas on the stovetop, soaking them overnight will definitely save you some cooking time. Soaking beans overnight and discarding the water does remove some flatulence-causing compounds, and many people find that soaked beans are easier to digest.

The bottom line. Black-eyed peas are highly nutritious and associated with many impressive health benefits. In particular, they may help support weight loss, improve heart health, and promote digestive health. They're also versatile, delicious, and easy to incorporate into a number of recipes as part of a healthy diet.