It’s New Year’s Day, you've managed to survive The Midnight Grapes Challenge without killing yourself.
WTF is Midnight Grape Challenge? Check it out here:
Back to today.
You feeling pretty secure about the luck that you've harvested from those damn 12 Grapes.
Now it's New Year's Day, time to settle down with some college football with the in-laws from Texas.
The down-home Southern cooking smells great, and it's time to eat dinner and out comes a bowl of black-eyed peas...
WTF?
Surely, there's more to come. And out comes some collard greens and cornbread.
Seriously, WTF?
Your Southern in-laws swear it’s the holy trinity of good luck, but as you poke at the soggy pile, you’re wondering,
“Why am I eating this?"
Let’s unpack the history, untangle the traditions of prosperity and throw in a couple of recipes that make these superstitious staples taste like something you’d actually want to eat.
Why Black-eyed Peas, Greens, and Cornbread?
Black-eyed Peas
During the Civil War, when Union troops ransacked Southern fields, black-eyed peas were left untouched—considered animal fodder by the North but a lifesaving food staple for everyone in the South.
They became a symbol of abundance, resilience, sustenance, and eventually, good luck.
The idea? Each pea represents one day of good fortune in the year ahead. So, start counting!
Actually, no. For many counting the peas is considered unlucky. The idea is a feeling of abundance, and you're so rich in peas, you could never count them.
Many also believe the idea to never finish your plate and you should always leave a few on your plate.
Greens
Traditionally it can be turnip, mustard and or collards greens. This foliage resemble folded money.
The color is unmistakable, even if most of us live in a world of digital wallets now.
The more greens you eat, the more money you’re supposed to make.
A metaphor? Sure. But after 2024, I’ll take my wealth any way I can get it.
Cornbread
Cornbread is the golden promise of prosperity. The buttery, crumbly staple is said to resemble gold bars, assuming you’ve ever seen a gold bar outside of a museum exhibit. It’s also delicious, so who cares if it’s metaphorical?
I'm all about tradition but I'm also about breaking some rules. An added bonus if I can piss-off the in-laws when they come over.
Let’s combine the peas and greens into one dish that doesn’t resemble something hospital food.
New Year's Skillet Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup cooked black-eyed peas (canned is fine—drain and rinse)
4 cups chopped greens (collards, mustard, turnip or a mix, hell you could use kale if you want)
3 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped (or a smoky vegetarian alternative)
1 medium onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
Salt and pepper to taste
A splash of apple cider vinegar (for brightness)
Instructions
1. Cook the Bacon - In a large skillet, render the bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan. If vegetarian, use olive oil.
2. Sauté Aromatics - Add onion and garlic to the skillet. Cook until softened and fragrant.
3. Add Greens - Toss in the greens, letting them wilt slightly before adding the broth. Simmer on low heat until tender but not mushy (about 10 minutes).
4. Mix in Peas - Stir in the black-eyed peas, smoked paprika, cayenne, and bacon. Cook for another 5 minutes to marry the flavors.
5. Finish Strong - Season with salt, pepper, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Serve warm.
This dish combines the earthy comfort of greens with the nutty bite of black-eyed peas, tied together with smoky bacon and a bright vinegar finish. No soggy mess, just pure tradition with an upgrade.
Gold Bar Cornbread Recipe
The Cornbread That Brings It All Together
Ingredients
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup sugar
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
½ cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
Instructions
1. Preheat - Heat your oven to 400°F. Place a cast-iron skillet inside to heat up.
2. Mix the Dry - In a large bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Mix the Wet - In another bowl, combine buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter.
4. Combine - Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined. Don’t overmix!
5. Bake - Pull the hot skillet from the oven, grease it with butter or bacon fat, and pour in the batter. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
6. Serve - Slice into wedges and serve hot with butter or honey.
Crispy crust from the hot skillet, a moist center from the buttermilk, and a touch of sweetness to balance the savory greens and peas.
Does It Work?
You don’t have to be Southern—or superstitious—to appreciate the roots of this tradition.
It’s about resilience, creativity, and making something meaningful out of simple ingredients.
Plus, let’s be real, with inflation and holiday budgets, a meal promising luck and wealth for the year ahead feels pretty damn relevant.
So, whether you’re laughing at the superstition or diving in headfirst, give this New Year’s tradition a try.
Going to certainly try the greens and peas. Sounds delightful! Again, thanks for sharing your ideas and expertise ❤️❤️