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In the South we have some New Year's culinary traditions. Often the New Year's Day dinner consists of a slow cooked pork roast, greens, and black eyed peas. Some people say that eating greens, such as turnip greens, collards or spinach will ensure a healthy cash flow in the new year. It is also thought that eating black eyed peas will bring one luck throughout the coming year. Courtesy of Wikipedia:
"The peas, since they swell when cooked, symbolize prosperity; the greens symbolize money; the pork, because pigs root forward when foraging, represents positive motion. Cornbread also often accompanies this meal.
Another suggested origin of the tradition dates back to the Civil War, when Union troops, especially in areas targeted by General William Tecumseh Sherman, typically stripped the countryside of all stored food, crops, and livestock, and destroyed whatever they could not carry away. At that time, Northerners considered "field peas" and field corn suitable only for animal fodder, and did not steal or destroy these humble foods."
Some hardliners insist that it is necessary to eat 365 black eyed peas at the meal to be lucky all year, but that seems like a lot of peas to me. Flatulence galore! When I lived in a small town in North Carolina, I was introduced to another New Year's Eve food, chow chow. This is a sometimes spicy relish made with tomatoes and peppers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chow-chow ). Man, that was some good stuff. When I married into my husband's family, I inherited a recipe for a cookie they make every January 1st. Now I know greens represent green money, so hopefully these delicious brown chocolate cookies do not invite a year full of $hi+. I prefer to think of them as representing a sweet start to the year. I don't know. Either way, they are easy and awesomely delicious.
Raquel's Grandmother in Law's Delicious New Year Cookies
Heat 1 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa, 1/4 cup milk, and 5 large marshmallows in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until boiling. Remove from heat.
Stir in 1/4 cup peanut butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 cup butter (half of a stick), and 2 cups quick cooking or old fashioned oats. Mix well.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper. Allow to cool.
Enjoy!
"The peas, since they swell when cooked, symbolize prosperity; the greens symbolize money; the pork, because pigs root forward when foraging, represents positive motion. Cornbread also often accompanies this meal.
Another suggested origin of the tradition dates back to the Civil War, when Union troops, especially in areas targeted by General William Tecumseh Sherman, typically stripped the countryside of all stored food, crops, and livestock, and destroyed whatever they could not carry away. At that time, Northerners considered "field peas" and field corn suitable only for animal fodder, and did not steal or destroy these humble foods."
Some hardliners insist that it is necessary to eat 365 black eyed peas at the meal to be lucky all year, but that seems like a lot of peas to me. Flatulence galore! When I lived in a small town in North Carolina, I was introduced to another New Year's Eve food, chow chow. This is a sometimes spicy relish made with tomatoes and peppers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chow-chow ). Man, that was some good stuff. When I married into my husband's family, I inherited a recipe for a cookie they make every January 1st. Now I know greens represent green money, so hopefully these delicious brown chocolate cookies do not invite a year full of $hi+. I prefer to think of them as representing a sweet start to the year. I don't know. Either way, they are easy and awesomely delicious.
Raquel's Grandmother in Law's Delicious New Year Cookies
Heat 1 cup white sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa, 1/4 cup milk, and 5 large marshmallows in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, until boiling. Remove from heat.
Stir in 1/4 cup peanut butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 cup butter (half of a stick), and 2 cups quick cooking or old fashioned oats. Mix well.
Drop by tablespoonfuls onto wax paper. Allow to cool.
Enjoy!
