Hoppin' John

Hoppin' John. This was supper tonight. Black eyed peas are good luck when consumed on New Year's Day in this part of Texas. So this was the result of some internet research. A lovely melange of rice, peppers, hot spices, ham, tomato and of course, the black eyed peas. I found the recipe at About.com and followed it quite faithfully.

Elsewhere on the web I found a note about adding a dime to the dish to bring extra prosperity to the year. I figure I am rich enough as it is, and so I skipped tossing coins into my supper.

Of particular interest is that a friend in Calabria reports that they too eat black eyed peas and ham on New Year's Day. And it is done there also for good luck ! What a small world. But their tradition is to cook the two separately.

So does this mean that Spaghetti Westerns may have more authenticity than we credit them with? Were ancient Romans the first Texans? (my driveway looks suspiciously like a Roman Road). Did a barge full of cowboys and black eyed pea sacks wash up on the Toe of Italy? It's interesting to ponder the origin of food traditions.

I can report that the dish turned out most excellent and I am ready for All That Good Luck! Happy New Year Everyone!

Comments

  1. LucieJanuary 2, 2010 at 8:22 AM

    May 2010 bring you unexpected and planned-for joys. And good yarn.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Arctic-mermaidJanuary 2, 2010 at 6:17 PM

    fabulous wishes. Thanks Lucie!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Earth LoverFebruary 21, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    Commenting on your comment about immigrant Romans in Texas long ago, reminded me of an amazing thing I found in my previous home near San Antonio. I was digging out a part and found odd-shaped but fit together flat rocks as though someone had built an early road--not, I am sure up to Rome's road building, but it made me scratch my head. Perhaps an early Spanish road reaching the numerous Spanish Catholic Missions around San Antonio. By the way, you must visit those Missions.

    ReplyDelete

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