black eyed peas - good luck
greens - money
pork - just because it is darn good with black eyed peas and greens!:)
Don't forget the cornbread!!!!!!!
2006-12-29 08:23:10
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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The association of luck with black eyed peas came from the civil war. The Union army had a nasty habit of raiding southern towns for provisions. On a particular New Years Eve, there had been such a raid on a community in Lousisana and the Union army had taken, or butchered all of the livestoock and food in the town. However, they left what they had thought was 'cow food', (black eye peas) and the leftovers from butchering the hogs, the hocks jowls and feet. What the Union army didn't know was that the southerners considered this to be a regular meal. So, you are considered to be lucky if you have black eyed peas and ham hocks to eat on New Years Day.
2006-12-31 03:39:38
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answer #2
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answered by Patricia B 1
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Each Southern (USA) family has their own version of what each component are symbolic of. My family has this tradition:
Peas = peace for the family
Jowls (hog jowls) = health for the family
Rice = riches for the family
Although we certainly ate greens (turnip, collard, or mustard), we did not neccessarily eat greens on New Years' Day. The only 'requirement' was Hoppin' John (AKA black-eyed peas and rice with hog jowls).
Incidentally, at least in Florida and Southern Georgia, the term was hog 'jowls' -that is what they are packaged as in the grocery stores and are what my family called them.
2006-12-31 11:39:38
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answer #3
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answered by irving snotpocket 6
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This menu is traditional because the greens represent money/prosperity for the New Year, the black eyed peas are for luck, hog maw (not jaw) or chitterlings are usually included for peace in the home.
2006-12-29 08:56:03
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answer #4
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answered by kimmy p 2
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The pig is an ancient Indo-European good luck symbol associated with New Years. It has carried over into many cultures. My teacher told me that in some parts of rural Greece a pig is ritually slaughtered on New Years Eve, and its blood is used to mark the entrances to houses for good luck. In my father's Pennsylvania German culture, it is traditional to eat pork sausage with sauerkraut on New Year's.
2006-12-29 11:21:03
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answer #5
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answered by Wicaco 3
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When I was a young kid my Mother always said that having black eyed peas for New Years brought good luck.
2006-12-29 10:37:41
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answer #6
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answered by kalibadboy 1
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We only eat black eyed peas for good luck.
Not sure where the tradition came from.
2006-12-29 08:21:37
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answer #7
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answered by Christina H 4
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it is customary in the American South to eat these items to show that you are 'humble' and therefore worthy of any prosperity the New Year may bring our way. It's also a custom to drink champagne and eat expensive or luxury foods (like shrimp, caviar) to show that we can handle the nice things in life as well. Beans are lucky to eat and customary in many cultures, as they represent coins. Greens = color of money, so they bring you money if you eat them. check out this site for more New Year's good luck customs:
http://www.fabulousfoods.com/holidays/newyears/ny.html
2006-12-29 08:33:32
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answer #8
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answered by SmartAleck 5
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Just a tradition...supposely you'll have good luck if you eat that on New Year's Day.
2006-12-29 08:28:48
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answer #9
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answered by cajunrescuemedic 6
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That's a Southern tradition for good luck and money.
It worked well (and still works) for my parents. I guess I know what I'm cooking this weekend!
2006-12-29 09:59:28
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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