It’s New Year’s Day. And it wouldn’t be New Year’s without black-eyed peas, at least, not here in the Southern United States.
Most family makes Traditional Black-eyed Peas every New Year’s Day for good luck.
Some cook the peas up along with greens and cornbread. According to the myth of fortune, the peas represent coins, the greens symbolize paper money, and cornbread stands for gold.
Aunt Mamie's New Year's Black-Eyed Peas
Rinse peas in large pot
One package of dried peas is about 2 cups (4 cups soaked)
Sort out any broken pieces, peas containing holes, or anything that looks like it doesn’t need to be cooked with the peas! The bad peas will usually float to the top.
Cover Peas with water and let them stand overnight (at least 6-8 hours)
Drain soak water, rinse peas in fresh cold water.
Add 6 cups-8 cups of water to a pot and when the water comes to a boil add ham hocks. Let them cook on medium heat until the hocks are tender. (about 30-40 minutes)
We use a ham hock because most of the flavor comes from the bone.
Add peas, bring back to a boil and cover.
Simmer gently until desired tenderness is reached (1 1/2 or 2 hours)
Serve with a corn muffin or a nice wedge of buttered Cornbread.
My aunt Mamie would always add a piece of hog jowl to the pot. I think that was to make you have an even more prosperous new year.
What is Hog Jowl?
It is the cheek of a hog, which is usually cut into squares before being cured and smoked.
Source: Internet