As 2024 comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the traditions that bring us comfort, joy, and a little extra hope as we step into a new year. Across the globe, people have their own special ways of welcoming good fortune. In Spain, families eat twelve grapes at midnight—one for each chime of the clock, symbolizing prosperity for every month ahead. In Japan, they enjoy soba noodles to signify longevity, and in Denmark, they literally leap off chairs at the stroke of midnight to “jump” into the New Year with luck on their side.
In my family, our traditions are just as meaningful. One of my favorites is eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. It’s something we’ve done for as long as I can remember. My parents always served them warm, with broth and ham, a dish that feels like a hug in a bowl. As a kid, I never fully understood the significance, but now I appreciate the history behind it. In Southern tradition, black-eyed peas symbolize luck and prosperity. This dates back to the Civil War, when black-eyed peas, often overlooked as livestock feed, became a vital source of food for struggling families. Eating them on New Year’s Day is a way to honor resilience and ensure abundance for the year ahead.
Another tradition we hold close is what we lovingly call “snacking ham.” This isn’t your typical holiday centerpiece—it’s a bone-in ham we cook on Christmas Eve and leave out for everyone to pick at over the next few days. There’s something so fun about this casual, no-rules approach. Some of us make little sandwiches, while others (myself included) steal bites straight from the kitchen as we pass by. This year, I made snacking ham twice—once at my in-laws’ house and again with my own family. For the first batch, I went with a pre-cooked bone-in ham and whipped up a maple bourbon glaze. It was a hit! The leftovers found their way into all sorts of things, including our lucky New Year’s black-eyed peas. I even saved the bone to make stock for the dish—a small detail that adds so much flavor.
Of course, if ham isn’t your thing, bacon works beautifully too. Honestly, the beauty of this dish is in its simplicity. All you really need are dried beans, water, garlic, onion, thyme, and your favorite protein. It’s humble, hearty, and just feels right to kick off a new year.
These traditions—whether they’re as big as a New Year’s countdown or as simple as a pot of beans on the stove—ground me. They connect me to the people I love, the history I come from, and the hope I have for the future. Here’s to starting 2025 with full hearts, full bellies, and all the luck we can gather.
Lucky New Years Black Eyed Peas
Scroll down for a printable version of this recipe
Yield: 8 servings
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 45 minutes
Inactive time: 8 hours (includes overnight soaking)
Total time: 9 hours
2 Tablespoons olive oil
6 strips of bacon or ham, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (optional)
1 medium yellow onion, medium dice
4 garlic cloves, smashed
6 sprigs of thyme
1 bag of dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight, drained
Salt and pepper, to taste
1. Empty the dry black eyes peas into a container, cover with water, and place in the refrigerator overnight.
2. Drain the peas.
3. Cut bacon or ham and cook in a medium pot.
4. Remove grease from the pot, and add olive oil.
5. Add smashed garlic to the pot, once fragrant, add the onion and cook until translucent.
6. Add thyme sprigs, and drained black-eyes peas to the pot.
7. Cover with 8 cups cold water and bring to a simmer.
8. Reduce to a low simmer and allow the peas to cook all the way through, about 45 minutes.
9. If foam forms, skim with a slotted spoon and discard the foam.
10. Discard thyme sprigs and taste for seasoning. Adjust with salt and pepper to taste.
11. Top with thyme leaves and serve warm,
12. Enjoy your lucky peas alone or with some fresh toast.
If you’re interested in comforting winter meals from scratch, check out Hands-On Cozy Night Out on Wednesday, January 15 at 6pm.
If finding flavors and ingredients that work well together, check out Flavor Dynamics Interactive Demonstration on Tuesday, January 14 at 6pm. Hurry, there are just 2 spots left!
If you’re interested in Southern traditions and dishes, check out Tasting Table Demo Series with Chef David on Tuesday, January 28 at 6pm.
Lucky New Years Black Eyed Peas
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 6 strips of bacon or ham, cut into 1/2 inch pieces (optional)
- 1 medium yellow onion, medium dice
- 4 garlic cloves, smashed
- 6 sprigs of thyme
- 1 bag of dried black-eyed peas, soaked overnight, drained
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Empty the dry black eyes peas into a container, cover with water, and place in the refrigerator overnight.
- Drain the peas.
- Cut bacon or ham and cook in a medium pot.
- Remove grease from the pot, and add olive oil.
- Add smashed garlic to the pot, once fragrant, add the onion and cook until translucent.
- Add thyme sprigs, and drained black-eyes peas to the pot.
- Cover with 8 cups cold water and bring to a simmer.
- Reduce to a low simmer and allow the peas to cook all the way through, about 45 minutes.
- If foam forms, skim with a slotted spoon and discard the foam.
- Discard thyme sprigs and taste for seasoning. Adjust with salt and pepper to taste.
- Top with thyme leaves and serve warm,
- Enjoy your lucky peas alone or with some fresh toast.
