We didn't eat blackeyed peas.......

[Marilyn]

Well, don't know about you Northerners or those from the UK, but down south we are supposed to eat ham, blackeyed peas & corn bread on New Year's day. One of our daughters convinced me that no one in the family liked this meal, and not being superstitious anyway, to cook something different. We had spaggetti, rolls and salad. Our other daughter, Melissa (Lissa on 4WT) got home from work and was very disappointed. She likes blackeyed peas and says this is the only time she gets them.

Do you have a superstitious traditional food that must be eaten on New Years Day for the year to be a good one?

[Janet]

When I was growing up, my Mom always fixed some kind of wilted something. It was either cabbage or lettuce, I think, but I never ate it. Too gross looking, looked like seaweed...hahah. I don't fix anything for superstitious reasons. I'm not really superstitious at all.

[Gina]

Marilyn, no superstitious traditional food here either. I did make a nice dinner, we had manicotti, along with the sauce and meat, a delicous roast pork and stringbean salad.. I had a small crowd and it was nice, everyone was gone by 6and that was great, we were all tired from the night before I got to bed at 3.

[DianaB]

We don't eat superstitious foods either. The best I could do yesterday was leftovers!!! Hopefully today I won't be so tired!

[RLC12345678]

Oh my family definately has black-eyed peas every New Years Day! My mom has fixed them ever since I can remember. She always told me that the number of blackeyes you eat is the number of dollars you will get in the New Year! So, I ate a ton of 'em yesterday!

[Lissa]

I missed having black-eyed peas, but I guess one year without them wouldn't hurt. I'm definitely doing it next year

[Janet]

I have never heard of the "black-eyed peas" for New Years! This is a first for me. I've only heard about the wilted green stuff. Since I've never eaten either....maybe that's why we're not rich....LOL

[Marilyn]

Rebecca, didn't know about the money connection to blackeyed peas. Just thought you would not have a good year if you did not eat them. So guess I really messed up, huh!?

It is reassuring that we are the only ones who've posted so far who thought you had to eat them. Even though I know being superstitious is wrong if you trust in God, it's still hard to let go of a tradition even when you know it does not matter. There's still a little bit of you that is worried. What if......

Since Melissa (aka Lissa) missed the peas so much though, I will have to fix them for her soon, and definitely will not skip them next New Years.

[RLC12345678]

Originally Posted by Marilyn

Rebecca, didn't know about the money connection to blackeyed peas. Just thought you would not have a good year if you did not eat them. So guess I really messed up, huh!?

It is reassuring that we are the only ones who've posted so far who thought you had to eat them. Even though I know being superstitious is wrong if you trust in God, it's still hard to let go of a tradition even when you know it does not matter. There's still a little bit of you that is worried. What if......

Since Melissa (aka Lissa) missed the peas so much though, I will have to fix them for her soon, and definitely will not skip them next New Years.

Wow! I cannot believe I'm the only one who's heard of the old wive's tale of the connection between money and blackeyes. That's so funny! It's not that we're superstitious, it's just a fun tradition that my family has. Ever since I can remember, we've eaten blackeyes on New Years Day.

[hle_625]

My family makes black eyed peas every year for New Years but I never eat them! When I was younger my grandma used to make us kids eat at least one! We would just put one in our mouth and swallow it like a pill! I think they are completely gross!

[Tink]

I've never tried either black-eyed peas or the wilted stuff either. LOL

In our family, we used to have a tiny drink of wine on New Years. Probably about as much as you get with communion, but we ALL got some. It was that awful tasting Mogan David blackberry stuff that was so foul you really didnt want any more of it for another year. LOL

[SweetCuteness]

I just learned of a New Year's tradition yesterday... apparently you're supposed to eat Black Eyed Peas and collared (sp?) greens for wealth and good luck in the coming year. A friend of mine's family does it every year. Seems to be working very, very well for them, so maybe I should try it next year. Although, I pretty much refuse to eat the collared greens - they look too disgusting for me.

[Marilyn]

I like collard greens, but never heard of eating them on New Years. We always had ham, mashed potatoes & gravy, blackeyed peas and cornbread. Collard greens would be a healthy addition, but my hubby is not fond of any kind of greens.

I'm surprized that there are not more New Year's food traditions around the country. It must be strictly a southern thing.

I'm from Mexico, so we don't have that tradition there, but I've been here for a long time and when I heard about the black eyed peas and corn bread I loved it! So I've been eating black eyed peas on New Years Day ever since. Ah! I eat them with Corn bread and with cabbage.

[Marilyn]

Well, ladies, it looks like no matter what the menu down here, blackeyed peas are the common element. I'll never sin again and leave them off the menu for NY. Perhaps those of you above Dallas/ Fort Worth should get with the program!!