Cornbread and black-eyed peas are considered good luck foods that are traditionally eaten in the American South on New Year’s Day for prosperity and fortune in the coming year. This tradition dates back to the Civil War era and has been passed down through generations.
What do cornbread and black-eyed peas symbolize?
Cornbread represents gold or wealth due to its golden color. Black-eyed peas symbolize coins or money because of their swelling shape when cooked. Eating these foods on New Year’s Day is thought to bring economic fortune in the coming year.
Additionally, the peas represent a bumper crop as they are harvested late in the growing season. Cornbread complements the peas and provides a hearty, filling meal to start off the new year.
What are the origins of this tradition?
The tradition of eating black-eyed peas and cornbread on New Year’s Day dates back to the Civil War era in the 1860s. At that time, Union troops pillaged food supplies in the South leaving very little to eat. Southerners sustained themselves on humble fare like black-eyed peas and cornbread.
The peas were considered animal feed and not eaten by people. But they proved to be a sustaining food. After the war ended, eating black-eyed peas and cornbread became a way to commemorate the struggle and promise prosperity for the coming year.
Role of emancipated slaves
Some accounts point to emancipated slaves as the originators of the tradition. Newly freed slaves are thought to have celebrated New Year’s Day with peas, cornbread, collard greens, and pork to represent new beginnings.
Their first free New Year’s meal symbolized the hope for health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year. The tradition spread throughout the southern United States from there.
When did the tradition become common?
Eating black-eyed peas and cornbread on New Year’s Day became more established after the Civil War in the 1870s. Published accounts of the superstition surrounding these good luck foods began appearing in the early 20th century.
By the 1950s, the practice was widespread in the South. Recipes for Hoppin’ John, which combines black-eyed peas and rice, also emerged during this time as another variation of the tradition.
Other common Southern New Year’s Day foods
While black-eyed peas and cornbread form the core of the tradition, some other foods are also commonly eaten in the South on New Year’s Day to secure good fortune:
- Greens (collard, mustard, turnip) – represent folded money
- Pork – represents prosperity because pigs root forward
- Fish – symbolizes swimming forward into the new year
These supplementary New Year’s foods also provide a well-rounded meal with the peas and cornbread.
Are there variations by state?
The specific recipes and side dishes eaten may vary somewhat by state across the South on New Year’s Day:
| State | Foods |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Black-eyed peas, greens, cornbread |
| Arkansas | Black-eyed peas, ham hocks, cornbread, collard greens |
| Georgia | Black-eyed peas, collard greens, cornbread, fried chicken |
| Louisiana | Black-eyed peas, gumbo, cornbread |
However, the core tradition of black-eyed peas for luck and cornbread for wealth remains constant throughout the South.
Are other peas ever used?
Although black-eyed peas are traditional, other legumes are also sometimes eaten on New Year’s Day in the South:
- Cowpeas
- Field peas
- Crowder peas
These peas all have a similar swelling shape when cooked, which represents increasing prosperity.
Does the color of the peas matter?
There are varying beliefs on whether the color of the peas matters for good luck:
- Some cooks insist on black-eyed peas only.
- Others believe any color peas will do.
- Using a mix of black-eyed peas and purple field peas is thought by some to bring the most luck.
The swelling shape when cooked seems more significant than the color of the peas overall.
How are the foods prepared traditionally?
Preparation methods for black-eyed peas and cornbread on New Year’s Day include:
Black-Eyed Peas
- Simmered with a salt pork or ham hock for flavor
- Seasoned simply with salt, pepper and onion
- Served plain or with rice
- Added to stews or pot likker greens
Cornbread
- Cast iron skillet poured batter
- Cornmeal dusted whole skillet
- Baked wedge shapes
- Cracklin’ cornbread with bacon fat
The peas should retain their shape and the cornbread should be warm and flaky for the meal.
What are some recommended recipes?
Here are some highly rated Southern recipes for New Year’s Day black-eyed peas and cornbread:
Black-Eyed Peas
- Good Luck Black-Eyed Peas with Bacon
- New Year’s Hoppin’ John
- Seasoned Black-Eyed Peas
- Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas
Cornbread
- Southern Skillet Cornbread
- Cracklin’ Cornbread
- Cornbread Muffins
- Jalapeno Cornbread
Are there rituals before or while eating?
Some Southern families have additional rituals surrounding the black-eyed peas and cornbread on New Year’s Day, such as:
- Setting the table with a tablecloth and china
- Adding other lucky goods like pineapples and hog jowls
- Cooking the peas with a lucky penny or dime inside
- Serving the peas with rice and collard greens
- Baking the cornbread in a cast iron skillet
These traditions emphasize the significance of the meal in drawing luck and prosperity.
Does the tradition continue today?
The tradition of eating black-eyed peas and cornbread on New Year’s Day endures in the South today. Many southerners consider it bad luck to start the year without these lucky foods.
Restaurants often serve specials of black-eyed peas, greens and cornbread on New Year’s Day as well. The superstition and lore surrounding the practice remains strong more than 150 years after its origin.
Are there similar traditions in other cultures?
Other cultures and cuisines also have New Year’s traditions centered on foods believed to bring good fortune, such as:
- Hoppin’ John: Black-eyed peas and rice in the southern U.S.
- Lentils: Italy, Morocco, Brazil
- Noodles: Long noodles in China, Japan
- Twelve grapes: Spain, Portugal, Cuba
- Pomegranates: Greece, Turkey
However, the tradition of black-eyed peas and cornbread is distinctly southern in the United States.
Conclusion
Eating black-eyed peas and cornbread on New Year’s Day for good fortune is a long-held custom in the American South. The humbleCivilWar era foods have becomesymbolic of prosperity and hope for the future.
Simple preparations allow the peas and cornbread to take center stage on New Year’s Day. Even as times change, this tradition endures in the South as families gather to welcome the new year with historic foods representing luck, health and wealth.