New Years Meal full of tradition

New Years Meal full of tradition

We all know the traditional New Year's meal.

Or maybe you don’t.

Maybe your New Year's meal is different.

For most of the world you bring in the

New Year with blackeyed peas, greens and

maybe cornbread and a piece of pork.

Now for me I cook blackeyed peas strictly for tradition.

I am not a fan but I do also make a pot of beans.

Which is also a traditional new year's addition.

My family doesn't have a lot of blackeyed pea eaters,

but I have friends who enjoy them.

So don’t worry they don’t go to waste.

There are many ways to prepare backeyed peas,

depending on where you are from.

There is the traditional seasoned and cooked down version.

There is the blackeyed peas and stewed tomatoes.

Then you have blackeyed pea soup.

Bacon, pork and blackeyed pea combo.

Then the other southern tradition of the hoppin john.

Which is a southern twist on rice and peas.

Cooked with blackeye peas and rice, chopped onion,

and sliced bacon, seasoned with salt.

Some recipes use ham hock, fatback, country sausage, or smoked turkey parts instead of bacon.

So what is the tradition, why do we eat

blackeye peas to bring in the new year.

It is said that we should eat 365 or more.

For the representation of the days of the year.

The balckeyed pea is said to represent the penny.

With the tradition comes the tradition of

throwing a silver dollar in the pot and whoever gets it will have the most prosperous year.

Let’s just say we have made away with that part of the tradition. 

Next up on the tradition train is our greens.

Now it is said you can make any greens. Such as mustard, turnip or even cabbage.

But the tradition has always been collard greens.

Made to represent money/dollars and great fortune for the year.

Many will tell you there is only one way to cook this flavorful

traditional dish;

and that is to cook it or render it in pork fat.

Now for those of you who don’t eat pork

I know you are saying not in my house.

But there are substitutes or just cooking without meat at all.

There are many ways to cook this dish as well.

My family uses pork.

It can be bacon, fatback, ham hock, ham bone, etc.

You get the picture. 

Our third tradition on this plate,

made to represent gold is our cornbread.

Now I am a full on cornbread lover.

I have a special family recipe for

cornbread that would knock your socks off.

Like all other dishes there are many variations of this dish.

I am a sweet corn bread girl myself.

Then there is the hot cornbread aka jalapeno cornbread.

Then there is the cornbread with

corn kernels added or little gold nuggets.

As the tradition says his golden dish is made

to bring you more spending money in the new year. 

                                                                        

Last but not least there is the pork. 

Now as you see there are many pork options.

Ham is a major one.

Then there is your usual suspects like fat back, salt pork, bacon.

But for this tradition hog jowl and a nice roasted pork is being called to the table.

Now contrary to popular belief pork is made to bring good health in the new year.

As well as wealth and progress.

Who knew. 

There are many other traditional dishes that did not make the plate but are worth mentioning.

Such as pomegranate,fish, and rice.

Which represent fertility, life and abundance.

Noodles for longevity.

Round cake for a full circle of life.

As well as grapes.

Which is known to bring good luck if you eat twelve at midnight.

To represent the twelve months of the year.

Whatever your tradition

I hope you are met with a prosperous new year.

Comment below if you would like me to elaborate on any dishes mentioned. Also comment below

and let me know your traditions.

Be sure to stop by Z.R.Z catering

and grab some of these dishes and more.