Did you have your black eyed peas today? We ate ham, black eyed peas, cornbread, and sweet potato casserole for dinner (lunch) today.Originally native to Africa, but widely grown in many countries in Asia, the black-eyed pea was introduced into the West Indies and from there to the Southern United States, where it is still a widely used ingredient in soul food and Southern U.S. Cuisine. The planting of crops of black-eyed peas was promoted by George Washington Carver both because, as a legume, it adds nitrogen to the soil and for its nutritional value. Black-eyed peas are an excellent source of calcium (211mg in a 1 cup serving), folate (209mcg), and vitamin A (1,305 IU) among other nutrients.
This "good luck" traditions date back to the U.S. Civil War. Union troops, especially in areas targeted by General William Tecumseh Sherman, would typically strip the countryside of all stored food, crops, and livestock and destroy whatever they couldn't carry away. At that time, Northerners considered "field peas" and corn suitable only for animal fodder, and as a result didn't steal or destroy these humble foods. Many Southerners survived as a result of this mistake. Wikipedia
It has been a beautiful day today. Our temps warmed up to the upper 50s by early afternoon. We split and stacked one load of firewood after lunch, then enjoyed a walk around the property.
I hope you all had a wonderful first day of 2009
I ate kidney Beans instead. Black eyed peas, hmm, I never eat them, but I haven't had the best of luck either! lol!
ReplyDeleteEmail me your address and I'll gladly pick something out just for you!
Love, dana
Happy New Year Rose Mary! I had never heard of that tradition until I started blogging a couple years ago. It does sound like a delightful meal though!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and yours in the New Year!
Interesting about the black-eyed peas... but not enough to make me want to eat them. I did have ham for supper (and baked beans).
ReplyDeleteI had a spoonful of black-eyed peas... does that count? LOL
ReplyDeleteHope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season, Rose Mary!
Can you believe the new year has come? Glad your warming up over there. We had Ham for supper but no beans. I made potatoe salad, something for a change. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteHi Rose Mary!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you! That sweet potato casserole sounds good! We had black-eyed peas, collards, cornbread and a mince pie for dessert yesterday. Hopefully lots of good luck for both of us in the coming year!!
Hugs, Bebe :)
Yes, we had the traditional black-eyed peas,ham, and green beans with cornbread. My daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter ate with us. Hope we all have a wonderful and blessed 2009. Ya'll ought to try black-eyed peas. They are good.
ReplyDeleteThe holidays are over;
ReplyDeleteJanuary is here.
Just stopping in
To wish you A HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Vanessa
I have never tried Black Eyed peas yet even though they do serve them around here.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I hope to catch up with all of you bloggers again next week!
I don't like black eyed peas. We had cabbage, which is the tradition around these parts.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice warm New Years here too, back to normal now....I'm ready for spring! Blessings to you in 2009!
ReplyDelete