What is the Hoppin John tradition?
In the Southern United States, hoppin’ John—a simple, delicious dish of peas, pork and rice—is standard New Year’s fare. Enter the slave trade and enslaved West Africans who had grown rice for generations. …
What is so special about the Hoppin John dish?
In the southern United States, eating Hoppin’ John on New Year’s Day is thought to bring a prosperous year filled with luck. The peas are symbolic of pennies or coins, and a coin is sometimes added to the pot or left under the dinner bowls.
What do the ingredients in Hoppin John represent?
The ingredients in Hoppin’ John have symbolic importance, and eating this dish on New Year’s Day portends good fortune in the new year: black-eyed peas represent coins. collard greens represent green backs (dollars), or cash. corn bread represents gold.
Why do black people eat black-eyed peas on New Years?
In the Southern United States, eating black-eyed peas or Hoppin’ John (a traditional soul food) on New Year’s Day is thought to bring prosperity in the new year. Stories say peas and salted pork were said to have been left untouched, because of the belief that they were animal food unfit for human consumption.
Why do black-eyed peas get mushy?
Canned black-eyed peas are best in recipes that don’t require slow cooking or a long cook time, which can make them mushy. If you’re using canned black-eyed peas, simply rinse them in a colander to remove any liquid from the can as well as excess salt. Then you’re good to go!
How do you eat Hoppin John?
There are many variations to traditional Hoppin’ John. Some cook the black-eyed peas and rice in one pot, while others insist on simmering them separately. Some also like to add the collard greens to the pot. The favorite way to eat a Hoppin’ John meal is with collard greens and corn bread.
What happens if you don’t soak black-eyed peas?
Soaking is not essential for black-eyed peas, but cooking time can be shortened if they get a quick soak in hot water (as opposed to a longer one in cold water, like other beans).