A few years ago we had some very special friends who used to live in Dalhart, Texas. As we celebrated the New Year with them, we were introduced to the Blackeyed Pea tradition. Being from the Pacific Northwest, we had never heard of this or even eaten Blackeyed Peas!
Sadly, our friends moved back to Texas, but we continue the tradition by making a huge pot of Blackeyed Peas and serve them on January 1st! Not only are they healthy but they are very delicious!
The Blackeyed Pea tradition first started back in the Civil War days. During the battle of Vicksburg, the town was under siege for over 40 days. No supplies went in and none came out. The entire town was on the brink of starvation. So they ate those humble "cowpeas," thus starting the southern tradition. These days, Blackeyed Peas are eaten every New Year's Day to bring good luck for the coming year. Blackeyed Peas are neither a pea nor a bean. They are a lentil.
........................................Have you heard of the tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight? This one is new to me this year. Eating grapes for New Year is a Spanish tradition that seems like a lot of fun. It began in the early part of the twentieth century in Spain because of a grape surplus. The idea is to eat twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve.
Each grape represents a month of the coming year. The sweeter the grape, the better the month will be that it represents. If you get a sour grape, it may be that the month it represents could be difficult for you.
But the thought of twelve grapes in your mouth at midnight sounds pretty funny. It seems impossible to finish eating all the grapes by the time the clock finishes chiming.
I don’t think I will try this one this year.
Well, Happy New Year and how ever you bring it in, be safe and have fun.
~~~~~~Y~~~~~~
~Tidbit~
There's no special talent needed to open a bottle of champagne or sparkling wine without injuring your guests. The secret is chilling the champagne and turning the bottle instead of pulling the cork.
My hubby is much older than I...he insists on having black eyed peas and collards on new years. He says the peas=change and the collards=paper money! It is a cute tradition and we continue it.
ReplyDeleteblessings, andrea
I haven't heard of either of these! Both sound fun!
ReplyDeleteChristine,
ReplyDeleteI just love black eyed peas. I've heard of eating them for New Years, but had never know the story behind that tradition. Love the grape idea, however I doubt I'll try to stuff 12 in my mouth before the strike of 12 as well, I'd rather be kissing my husband!
Dee Dee