I’m a big fan of traditions. I think they are important and create wonderful memories. One of my favorite traditions includes eating black eyes peas, collard greens and tomatoes on New Year’s Day. To me, the symbolize luck, money & love to come in the new year. And who couldn’t use a little extra luck, money & love?! 🙂
I remember my best friend and I searching for a restaurant that served these foods on New Year’s Day when we were in college, and after several stops, we finally found one! Now it’s a tradition I continue with Hubbs, and have for years…
Welcoming in 2008 in the old apartment…
& Hello 2009!
2010 arriving in our temporary townhouse…
And now in our new home embracing 2011 with open arms!
This year I tried something new to me… don’t laugh… I used dried black eye peas! Who knew they were so easy? And cheap 🙂
I soaked them overnight and by morning they were ready for simmering!
I washed…
and ripped up the collards…
then simmered them in beef bouillon for hours.
Finally, it was time to put it all together in a grand New Year’s Day finale!
…topped off with Nannie’s hot pepper sauce, of course!
Happy 2011 to you!
Do you have any food traditions for New Year’s Day?
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
That’s fun that you’ve kept up this tradition with your husband!
No, we really don’t have any New Year’s Day traditions, other than it usually being a laid-back day.
Tina says
I think its so interesting to see others with this tradition. My family always had the same, but I never really heard of other people eating that meal.
Katie @ Healthy Heddleston says
I mom always made pork and saurerkrat when we were younger but John and I don’t have any new years traditions yet. Btw, I’ve never had black eyed peas 😛
christina says
well that freaking stinks. on saturday i picked out the tomatoes from my salad. GEEEEEEEZ. here’s to another year of single!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I started my black-eyed peas & greens tradition this year! I am impressed you used dried ones, actually…I always take shortcuts. 🙂
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin says
You know surprisingly enough, I don’t have any food traditions for New Years. This year I had oatmeal and then Vietnamese for dinner – which don’t go together at all. Ha!
TheHealthyapron says
I love reading about other bloggies food tradiations! I have yet to make one! Perhaps this year will be the year to figure out what we want to eat!! I like yours though!
Roz says
What a healthy New Years tradition you have. Looks great!!! And I LOVE the photos….over the years, you’ll have QUITE the collection!! (our New Years day food tradition is MUCH less healthy, we always send out for dinner that night…. 🙂 ) Have a great Monday!
Kelly says
We do pork, collards, black-eyed peas, and cornbread at my grandparents’ on New Years Day, along with several other dishes. There’s also the superstition that whatever you do on New Years Day is what you’ll be doing the rest of the year…
Caree @ Fit-Mama says
I wish I had some sort of tradition! I don’t…but maybe I should! I could use a little luck!!! 🙂
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
I remember eating a huge pot of black eyed peas one year at my friends house for New Year and they put a quarter (scrubbed and clean, of course) at the bottom. Whoever got the quater had extra luck. haha! It was fun!
Pat says
Here in Pittsburgh the tradition involves pork and sauerkraut. I’m afraid I’d starve at your house eating the black-eyed peas and collards. Afraid I’m not a southern gal!
Pure2raw says
I am not much of new years food tradition person, but my BF’s family is. They have their black eyed peas and sauerkraut for their traditions 🙂
Melissa says
Black eyed peas and cabbage for me. It’s so interesteing to me that people all across the country have this tradition.
Natalie @ will jog for food says
My stepmom’s family does the EXACT same thing! I love it 🙂
Kelli says
I don’t have a New Years Day tradition but this is so cute! I think I might make one up for next year. 🙂
Morgan @Some Kind of Sunshine says
We always eat cornbread, collards and black eyd peas at my great grandmother’s house in Stone Mountain. SO good. Can’t wait to see what 2011 has to offer!!