What are your traditions for starting your New Year off right?
I've always heard whatever you do on the first day of the year, will be what you do the rest of the year--
Our Southern Tradition continues with food! of course! On this day, we must eat at least one spoon of cooked cabbage, black-eye peas and have some pork to insure good health and wealth. I love black-eye peas! the family not so much! But, they will indulge in the tradition just the same--who wants to tamper with that health-wealth thing!
Here is a recipe that makes black-eye peas taste absolutely delicious--in my book!
Good Luck Hoppin' John
4 strips bacon, diced
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cups cooked black-eyed peas, or 2 packages (10 ounces each) frozen
1/2 cup uncooked rice
2 cups water
1/4 teaspoon dried red-pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Partially cook bacon in a Dutch oven, add onion, and cook until bacon is crisp and onion is soft. Add black-eyed peas, rice, water, and pepper flakes. Cover and simmer over low heat until rice is done, about 20 to 25 minutes. Toss with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Other customs around the world include food as well:
Eating any ring-shaped treat (such as a donut) symbolize "coming full circle" and leads to good fortune. In Dutch homes, fritters called olie bollen are served.
The Irish enjoy pastries called bannocks.
The tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight comes from Spain.
In India and Pakistan, rice promises prosperity.
Apples dipped in honey are a Rosh Hashanah tradition.
In Swiss homes, dollops of whipped cream, symbolizing the richness of the year to come, are dropped on the floors (and allowed to remain there!)
So, here's to whatever your tradition or custom includes to bring in the New Year--
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