Luck for the New Year

[ecosophia]

Now that the last hours of 2025 are trickling away, it occurs to me that some readers may want a little good luck in the coming year. American folk magic has some options to suggest with this in mind. The first things you eat tomorrow should be: 

Rice and beans -- what version of this always-hearty dish gets recommended by tradition depends on where you live, but red beans and rice, hoppin' John (rice with black-eyed peas), or rice with black beans are all common options. Cooking it with a little ham or pork sausage is traditional in many areas. Since it's been the standard meal for working folks in much of America since colonial times, if you eat it on New Year's day you'll always have enough to eat in the year ahead. 

Corn bread -- I know there are savage regional rivalries about what counts as real corn bread, but that doesn't matter; whatever kind of corn bread you prefer is the one to eat. Its golden color brings you many sunny days in the year ahead. 

Ham, pork sausage, or bacon -- this guarantees that you'll be able to eat like a pig in the year ahead. 

Some kind of leafy green vegetable -- cabbage, collard greens, or any other kind of green leafy you like will do.  The leaves stand for money, and bring you ample cash in the coming year. 

So there you have it. You can do this as a one dish meal, as shown in the photo, or as separate dishes. Enjoy, and a happy new year to all! 

Comments

Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

>> Some kind of leafy green vegetable <<

Originally, moringa leaves, the it-does-everything superfood tree from Africa. I got my hands on some dried leaves at an African grocery. Oh, so that's what this dish is supposed to taste like! I never did like the kale or collards versions.

"Crockpot African Black-Eyed Peas"

[3bmend_135]

Do lentils count as beans?

Re: Yes ...

[ecosophia]

Hmm! Never tried them. I enjoy most kinds of greens, though tomorrow's breakfast will as usual feature stir-fried cabbage with sesame seeds and red pepper. Thanks for the recipe -- that looks tasty.

[ecosophia]

Yes. Any legume will do.

Re: Yes ...

[ysabetwordsmith]

If you like greens, definitely watch for moringa. I've seen it dried as an herb, and frozen as a vegetable. It has a leafy flavor with earthy and mineral notes.

https://foodprint.org/real-food/moringa/

[slclaire]

Black-eyed peas and ham hocks here! We had some for dinner tonight and have plenty of leftovers for the next few days.

[ecosophia]

Yum. I baked a pan of corn bread this evening and the beans are ready; I'll make the rice, fry up the ham, and stir-fry the cabbage tomorrow right after my morning meditation.

Beans and rice and greens: YES

[johno_1960]

Cannellini beans, with the stock left over from my Yule ham, wild rice and kale.

[(Anonymous)]

From the webpage which is the source of this picture, https://intentionalhospitality.com/new-years-foods-for-good-luck/:

"Families sometimes say 'peas for pennies, greens for dollars, and cornbread for gold,'..."
The article is fun and has lots of tasty-looking recipes.

Happy New Year!

- Cicada Grove

[(Anonymous)]

Making broth in the crock pot right now and corona beans in the instant pot. Tomorrow they will be both combined with sausage, greens, and some carrots/onions/celery. I am looking forward to it.

Happy New Year one and all.

[quoadsacra]

Happy New Year to you and your readers and thanks for the food tips. Some new rituals for what can be a somewhat heavy time are most welcome.

I was too late this time round to make beans and corn bread the night before but I have twelve months to practice making the recipes. And holding a generous supply of beans and rice is never a bad thing!