The tradition of eating Hoppin’ John begins on New Year’s Eve
A major New Year’s food tradition in the American South, “Hoppin’ John” is a dish of pork-flavored field peas or black-eyed peas and rice, frequently served with collards or other cooked greens and cornbread. The dish is said to bring good luck in the new year.
Different folklore traces the history and the name of this meal, but the current dish has its roots in African and West Indian traditions and was most likely brought from African regions to North America. A recipe for “Hoppin’ John” appears as early as 1847 in Sarah Rutledge’s “The Carolina Housewife” and has been reinterpreted over the centuries by home and professional chefs.
The tradition of eating Hoppin’ John begins at midnight (New Year’s Eve) when the dish is served with a champagne toast.
New Year’s Day is the traditional day to eat Hoppin’ John. Any leftovers can be enjoyed on later days but be aware that the name of the dish changes to Skippin’ Jenny. Stretching the dish into leftovers demonstrates your sense of frugality and promises even greater prosperity in the new year!
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 greenbacks (dollars), or cash
- cornbread represents the gold
- pork—especially ham hocks
- tomatoes, if included, represent health
Sometimes, the cook slips a dime into the dish before serving. It is said that wealth awaits the diner who gets the dime (and hopefully not a chipped tooth).
Some say that good luck visits those who count the black-eyed peas on their plate for a hint at the amount of luck or wealth that will ensue.
The custom of eating all but three of the black-eyed peas on your plate promises a trio of benefits—luck, wealth, and romance.
Sources:
- https://youtu.be/CQrJL0KINd0
- https://www.postregister.com/chronicle/freeaccess/new-years-traditions-hoppin-john-stands-out-among-new-year-foods/article_66c1be12-2aaa-5a61-98ba-43cce2c4f304.html
- https://www.almanac.com/content/hoppin-john-good-luck-food-new-year
- https://readloud.net/
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