Black-Eyed Peas on New Year’s Day: Down here, we’ve got some superstitious folks. And with the arrival of the new year, many of those superstitions are put on full display. In our family, the food on the table on New Year’s Day has always been a big deal. We have to have some type of green, pork, and black-eyed peas. Greens are supposed to represent folded money and ensure that you’ll have money in the new year. We usually have collard greens on the menu to satisfy that requirement. Pork is almost always in the greens and peas in the way of smoked ham hocks, but we usually have a traditional ham as well – just for good measure.
Now, black-eyed peas are said to represent good luck. Some folks even go as far as eating 365 peas to ensure good luck for every day of the new year. My family also puts a few dried black-eyed peas in our wallets – again, just for good measure. There are tons of other traditions and superstitions, too. My grandmother refuses to wash clothes on New Year’s Day. She says that doing so will mean you’ll be washing someone out of your life in the new year. She claims that she’s only done it one time in her life. My uncle was little and she had to wash diapers. That same year, her father died.
Now, I’m not saying any of these superstitions are true. I’m just saying that I’m not going to take any chances. And since I’m a huge fan of ham, greens, and black-eyed peas, it’ll work out just fine for me.
Slow Cooked Perfection: Now… Some things, especially dried beans, are just best when slow cooked. And when you don’t have time to tend a big old pot of beans all day, your trusty slow cooker is the perfect stand-in. Since black-eyed peas are small, they don’t really require presoaking. You’re welcome to do that and it will cut down on the cooking time. However, I’ve tried them both ways and I actually prefer them not soaked. The texture is creamier to me and the flavor is more bold.
Southern Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) package dried black-eyed peas
- 6 cups water
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 yellow onion quartered
- 2 cloves garlic smashed
- 1 smoked ham hock
Instructions
- Sort and rinse the peas, discarding any discolored peas.
- Add the peas, water, bullion cubes, salt, onion, garlic, and ham hock to the crock of a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 5 to 6.
You’re supposed to have a dollar bill in your pocket all day New Year’s Day so you will be prosperous in the New Year.
Love hearing these!!
My mother would always wash a silver dime and put in the black eyed peas for good luck to the person who got the dime. I think it was to get us to eat the peas. We would also have cooked down cabbage, fried sweet potatoes, pork chops and corn bread.
What a fun tradition!
Could you use chicken broth for the bouillon cubes?
Absolutely! I just find that many folk opt for the bouillon because it’s cheaper than buying a couple of cartons of broth.
Do you have to soak the beans first, or just put them in the pot as-is after checking for rocks and stuff??
John, Stacy said she’s done it both ways and prefers not soaking. I still soak mine but if I’m using my slow cooker I usually only soak about 4 hours. I think it’s just a habit for me. I’ve never fixed them without soaking so can’t comment on how they do but she said they have even more flavor. Hoping you see this in time. Happy New Years!!
Thanks for getting back with him, Patty! Happy New Year!!
Nope, no reason to soak them. 🙂
I cook the ham hocks with water and spices first. Wash the peas and pour the cooled liquid of ham hocks over them and refrigerate over night because I think increases flavor. I do pick meet off the hocks I cook in slow cooker with your ingredients until done I add flaked red pepper Love the tradition comments!