There are many varied cultural superstitions associated with New Year’s Day. Everything from your location at precisely midnight New Year’s Eve to whom should grace your doorstep first on New Year’s Day. Food wise, at least in the southern U.S., black-eyed peas cooked with ham hocks and greens should be eaten on New Year’s Day. Black-eyed peas cooked with ham represents general good luck and money. The peas are thought to represent copper pieces and, therefore, money and wealth. They are also a reminder of proud but humble beginnings and humility that should be revisited and appreciated each year. To eat 365 peas cooked in rich pork means to enjoy 365 days of wealth and good luck in the coming year. Next, the greens (turnip greens, spinach, collards, kale, cabbage, sauerkraut, etc.,) represents “green” money and good luck to many cultures on New Year’s Day.
Try preparing your New Year’s Day meal with a little of the old and some of these new ideas. Just such a blend will offer a tasty, unique treat for your family and guests. Bring it together on a mini-sandwich in portions that even the pickiest guest can try and still satisfy that New Year’s Day hunger. Bake fresh biscuits or cornbread. Then, serve a biscuit or slice of cornbread to each guest topped with a few fried spinach greens then, a spoon of black-eyed peas and pork. Enjoy!
TRADITIONAL NEW YEAR’S DAY BLACK-EYED PEAS
2 Tablespoons canola oil
1 Cup onions, chopped
2 Tablespoons garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
2 ham hocks
1 lbs. dried black-eye peas
2 quarts chicken stock
Salt and pepper, to taste
In a one-gallon stock pot, heat the canola oil.
When the oil is hot, add onions and sauté for two minutes until transparent.
Stir in garlic, bay leaves and ham hocks.
Add black-eyed peas and chicken stock. Bring liquid to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer. Simmer until peas are tender.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
FRIED SPINACH
4 cups peanut oil for frying
1 (10 ounce) package washed fresh spinach
salt and pepper to taste
Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Place a large handful of fresh spinach in fryer basket, and submerge to cook for about thirty seconds.
Drain spinach on paper towels, and repeat with remaining batches. Add a little salt and pepper to taste. Try a seasoned or hot salt for a pleasant flavor punch!
Eating donuts, pretzels or other things round on New Year‘s Day are thought to represent continual luck year-round. Make a new tradition in your household and deep fry your favorite (round) sandwich cookie to eat for luck “year ROUND” this New Year‘s Day!
FRIED SANDWICH COOKIES
1 cup buttermilk pancake mix
3/4 cup ice water
1 quart canola oil
1 sleeve of Oreo, Vanilla Sandwich cookies or other (14 each)
2 tablespoons confectioners sugar
Freeze cookies for 3 hours.
In a heavy-gauge 3-quart saucepot heat oil to 350 degrees F.
While oil is heating, set up a sheet pan or large platter with paper towels for draining.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl stir water into buttermilk pancake mix with a wooden spoon until thoroughly combined. When batter has smoothed, dip each cookie, one at a time, into batter, making a thin coat completely around the cookie.
Place coated cookie carefully into hot oil. Repeat for each cookie.
Fry on both sides, turning over once and frying until golden brown.
Remove fried cookie from hot oil with metal tongs and drain on paper towels.
Dust with confectioners sugar.
Let cool slightly (about 2 minutes) before serving.
Here’s to your good luck, health and financial success for the New Year!
