New Year's Day Recipe

A Southern Recipe for Prosperity

(with this economy, we need it!)

In the South, on New Year's Day, the traditional menu includes black-eyed peas, ham, collard greens, and corn bread. The motto is "eat poor on New Year's Day, and eat fat for the rest of the year!" The greens represent the green of money, while the black-eyed peas bring wealth because they represent coins.

This is the soup I made for dinner on New Year's Day. The recipe is a little late coming, but it's not like you'll make it any time soon ;-)

Ham & Black-Eyed Pea Soup with Greens

In a large saucepan, heat and cook, until tender:

1/4 cup olive oil

4 medium onions chopped

5 garlic cloves chopped

Add:

2 pounds collard greens, stems removed, and chopped

8 cups chicken broth

8 cups water

1 cup of chopped ham

Simmer until greens are tender, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, rinse and drain:

4 16 oz. cans of black-eyed peas (you can mash some, to thicken the soup)

Add to the soup mixture, along with 4 16oz. cans of diced tomatoes.

Simmer 5 more minutes, and season with salt and pepper.

Serve with cornbread.

Serves 8 people

Enjoy!