Ringing in the New Year

"The greatest luxury with which they are acquainted is a stew of bacon and peas, with red pepper, which they call ‘Hopping John’."

A Journey in the Seaboard Slave States, Frederick Law Olmsted

Happy New Year!  Today many African-American families will be eating the traditional new years feast - black eyed peas, rice, greens and greens.  Hopping John, which is usually black-eyed peas and rice, is traced back to a similar dish in West Africa.  The old tradition is now mixed with European traditions and black eyed peas along wtih the greens represent good fortune and good luck.

For many African-Americans today, the meal isn't as much necessarily meant for good luck and good fortunes as it is just meant for good food.