Good Health & Good Luck in 2025 With Black-Eyed Peas!
Is it a myth? An old-wives tale? OR could there be some reality into the passed down story that black-eyed peas are a “must” to eat on New Year’s Day to bring you good luck and prosperity in the upcoming year?
Either way, it’s a “win win” situation. Even if they don’t bring you good luck, the lowly underrated black-eyed pea is an extremely healthy legume chocked full of vitamins.
I’m not superstitious, but then again “why take chances?” So I always make it a point to have the black-eyed pea side dish recipe below on New Year’s day in addition to making it throughout the year.
This easy, free-style recipe makes an excellent chilled side dish that can be made in advance and can be doubled or tripled to take to picnics or serve on a buffet or at potluck dinners.
BLACK-EYED PEA CHILLED SALAD:
FIRST: Mix 3 tablespoons of sugar with ½ cup of warm water. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Then in a large bowl, mix the sugar water with:
15.5 OZ. can of black-eyed peas (drained and thoroughly rinsed)
*1/3 cup red wine vinegar
1 ½ tablespoons of chopped red onion
¼ teaspoon of dill weed
¼ teaspoon of basil
½ teaspoon of black pepper
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 shredded carrot
4-5 tablespoons of diced green pepper (or a mix of diced red and green pepper)
2 to 3 tablespoons of diced tomatoes (or substitute red salsa)
Chill for several hours or overnight.
Serves 2 as a side dish.
*You decide if you want to make it sweeter by adding more sugar or make it more or less tart by increasing or decreasing the red wine vinegar.
You can also make the above recipe, but INSTEAD of using sugar and vinegar, use your favorite balsamic dressing.