Luck and Money

In parts of the South there is a tradition of eating black-eyed peas and greens on New Year's Day.  The black-eyed peas are for luck in the new year and greens are for money in the new year. Not being a daughter of the South.....I got here as soon as I could.....I had never heard of this tradition but from the moment I learned of it I decided I wasn't going to mess with success and I prepare these two dishes on New Year's Day.

The popular way to prepare the black-eyed peas is to cook a pot of Hoppin' John, 

and the greens are usually collard greens or mustard greens. 

Today I was curious about the history of these two traditions.  I found out the practice of eating black-eyed peas dates back to the Civil War.  Sherman's troops destroyed or stole other crops, as they marched through Georgia and South Carolina, but ignored the black-eyed pea thus becoming a major food source for Southerners....thus the "luck".  Collard or mustard greens were grown in the late fall so were plentiful as the new year approached, and being green symbolize money.

I wish all of you (y'all) a year of luck and money in 2013.