Black-Eyed Peas on New Year's Day

I remember my mom talking about eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day and she always seemed to have a can of them on her cupboard. Until a just a few years ago, I didn’t remember ever eating any of those interesting looking beans.

After I finally tried some (and found I do like them), I started wondering why we were supposed to eat them on New Year’s Day. Maybe you’re curious too? Here’s what I found in my research . . .

The most common variety of black-eyed peas are white with a small black spot.

History of Black-Eyed Peas

Black-eyed peas, also known as goat peas or black-eyed beans were first grown in West Africa. They are part of the cowpea family[1] and were introduced to the southern United States by slaves in as early as the 1600s. And are now grown in many Asian countries, as well as in parts of the USA. They need long warm summers to grow to maturity, so I’m guessing it would be tricky growing them in Colorado. The most common variety is white with a small black spot.

New Year’s & Black-eyed Peas

Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s for good luck started WAY back! As with many tales or superstitions, there are several thoughts on the reasons they are supposed to bring good luck.

The Talmud[2] (written in about 500 A.D.) mentions the Jewish custom of eating black-eyed peas while celebrating Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year that is celebrated in the autumn. Sephardic Jews may have brought this tradition to the USA when they first arrived here in the early 1700s. “Black-eyed peas are symbols of abundance, wealth and fertility and are included on the Rosh Hashanah table in the hope that they will help to fill the upcoming year with these qualities.”[3]

Other thoughts on the reason for eating the black-eyed peas at New Years come from the time of the Civil War. Some folklore talks about how the Union Army stole the Confederate Army’s supplies, but left the black-eyed peas because they thought it was food for the animals. The Southern soldiers felt lucky to have been left with the peas to help them get through the winter.

In the South, folks eat Hoppin’ John[4], (a soul food dish) because it is said to bring prosperity in the new year. Some say the beans resemble coins and therefore will bring you luck.

The peas are also considered as a symbol of freedom for the slaves who ate them when they were emancipated on New Year’s Day following the Civil War.

Super good for you!

Black-eyed peas are not only a lucky food, they are super good for you! A one-cup serving of those little spotted beans is a great source of protein, iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. They are low in fat and high in fiber. Eating them as part of your plant-based diet (and not only on New Year’s Day) is a great way to get needed nutrients for a balanced, healthy diet.