New Year’s Traditions
Champagne may be synonymous with New Year’s Eve but on New Year’s Day people often eat a meal that they hope will bring them good fortune. Be it pork, lentils, black-eyed peas or greens, most all cultures have traditions they follow on the first day of the year.
While luck is not something we have any influence over, people around the world often prepare a particular dish they eat on the first day of the year. I am no exception and have been eating black-eyed peas every New Year’s Day since I was a little girl growing up in Texas. I’ve used black-eyed peas to made Sausage, Kale And Black-eyed Pea Risotto, Black-eyed Pea Risotto With Ham Hocks and Cowboy Caviar.
While Southerners like their black-eyed peas with collards and cornbread, one of the most popular dishes eaten on the first day of January is some kind of a pork dish. As you can see, I’ve incorporated pork into a couple of my New Year’s black-eyed pea recipes for an even better chance of prosperity in the coming year.
My husband is not superstitious but ask him what he would like on New Year’s Day and his first answer is pork and sauerkraut. Spareribs or smoked pork chops are simmered low and slow until they are fall-off-the bone tender. The sauerkraut develops a wonderful flavor from the pork drippings along with bacon, onions, juniper berries and bay leaves all simmered in wine or beer.
I have to say that my husband and I eat very well on New Year’s Day…now whether the meals have brought health or prosperity our way, that I really don’t know.
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Wishing each of you a healthy and happy New Year
Karen
Happy New Year Karen! I have never liked black eyed peas, but bring on the pork, especially ribs!
Jenna
Thanks Karen.
We always have Hoppin’ John with braised cabbage and corn bread on January 1.
Happy New Year to you and Hubby.
Pam
We don’t have any particular New Year traditions so I love reading about yours!
I grew up with black eyed peas for New Years Day also. However, Joe and I started our own tradition having a bowl of posole with pork! Happy New Year to you and your family!
Thank you Karen. We always have Hoppin’ John, braised cabbage and corn bread on January 1. A hold over from when Don was a boy in Mississippi. Happy New Year to you and Mickey. Pam
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We eat the 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight as that is a Spanish tradition. other than that we don’t eat anything special for New Years. Although I would never say no to sauerkraut!
All the best for 2024!!
My husband and I came up with own tradition for New Year’s Day, and we make a pot of venison chili. All the best for 2024 Karen!
Karen, this is Deb Cantales.
What a fabulous tradition for New Year’s Day Karen. We don’t have any particular food or activity (except football) on that day but I might have to reconsider what we eat on the first day of the new year. Hugs, C
Happy New Year, my friend!!! No black eyed peas here, but grilling some pork chops is highly likely!! XOXO
I’ve adapted a lot of bean dips to using black-eyed peas for New Year’s. Totally must be a Southern thing. We were in northern Iowa last year for New Year’s and I could find NONE at the grocery stores, canned or dry. Cheers and happy 2024!
Happy New Year!
That pork and sauerkraut sounds delicious. Whatever you and your hubby eat I hope the coming year is one of abundance, good health and joy. Happy new year Karen!
Happy New Year, Karen. I somehow manage to forget about black eyed peas almost every year, though I love them.
I love black eyed peas, but never have had them on New Year’s Day! I guess the tradition just never made it to New England (although you probably made them when you lived up there)… Back in the summer, when I posted my creamy Southern rice and peas recipe, I thought, “Maybe I should make this for New Year’s Day?” Here we are two days away and I find myself making salmon instead! I love all your pork recipes, though, and pork is one of our favorite meats. Whatever the case, Karen, I wish you all the luck in the new year. Thanks for a year of wonderful posts!
Happy New Year Karen!
I’ve got roast beef for new year, but peus de ministre (Catalan pig trotter confit) tonight!
We used always to have another Sunday lunch/cum Christmas dinner on New Years’ Day, when our parents were alive, Karen. These days it really depends what kind of Eve I’ve had, but it’s quite likely to be Mick’s favourite- chilli. So much easier! Happy New Year to you.
Hi Karen,
Pork and sauerkraut sounds perfect. Have a wonderful day and a Happy New Year 😃
I don’t particularly believe any of the superstitions New Year’s traditions, but it’s still fun to play along. I typically have black-eyed peas and collard greens, especially since moving to the south where both are abundant, but I happen to love the idea of long noodles for a long life, per the Japanese tradition of toshikoshi soba. Happy New Year!
I think i commented but anyway – happy new year!!
Happy New Year Karen!! Other than getting comfy and cozy while watching movies New Year’s Eve, my husband and I don’t really have a tradition. But we plan to celebrate with seafood this year.
May 2024 hold all that you need!
Happy New Year Karen! I don’t know of any traditional foods for New Year here, but must ask around!
Happy New Year, Karen! It will be pork and sauerkraut here — again — for New Year’s Day. My husband could eat it once a week.
Pork and sauerkraut reigns supreme at our home too. Wishing you and yours good health and much happiness in 2024.
I was never able to get to like black eyes peas, I must admit. But lentils on the other hand! I can’t get enough of them. Have them on the simmer at this very moment, getting ready for midnight!
Happy New Year, Karen!
Well, we’re having brats, mine with sauerkraut. Does that help?!! I’m all for good luck. Happy New Year!
Wishing you and your family all the blessings, health, abundance, happiness, and great food in 2024!……Abrazotes, Marcela
We incorporate black-eyed peas in our menu some how. I love the Texas caviar dip or what you call Cowboy caviar! Cheers to closing out the year with fun traditions!
We are invited to a friend’s house for black eyed peas. I do love pork, but not sauerkraut. Happy New year Karen, may your new year be filled with prosperity, love, good health and happiness.
Happy New Year to you too! 🙂
Growing up we never had a tradition with food – all six of us would get in the car and drive around looking at the lights that were still up and even singing carols – we did that a few times. Gene and I never established a tradition over the holidays other than a family weekend of building and decorating gingerbread houses. New Years was usually quiet and into bed before the clock struck 12 🙂
Happy New Year to you both, and I never worry about what you eat because I know it will always be delicious. Enjoy!
Wishing you a delicious and delightful 2024! Can’t wait to see what new epicurean adventures you share in the months to come.
Happy New Year, Karen, and you always know how to invite celebration into your meals. May that continue! And I have my black eyed peas—not yet sure how I will choose to serve them, but I’m always nostalgic. My grandmother introduced me to that tradition when I was still very young. Cheers to you and yours! 🥳
Karen, I must check out that pork and sauerkraut—sounds irresistible! Especially with your husband’s homemade bread. Hope you both have a terrific 2024. ~ Jean | DelightfulRepast.com
All of the dishes you mentioned sound like a great way to start the new year! 🙂
I love reading about culinary family traditions – they are so good! Happy New Year!
It’s the 2nd of January here but I’m definitely going to try the black eyed peas with ham hock-we have some ham hock left over from Christmas. I hope you have a very Happy New Year and that 2024 holds beautiful moments 🙂
Happy New Year Karen!
As I was doing my blog post this morning. I was thinking about the fact that I do not have any menu traditions for New Years Day, and I live in the Deep South (laugh). I am loving the idea of slow cooked spareribs with sauerkraut-so, so good!
Looking forward to your travel and cooking journey this new year.
Best,
Velva
It was pork roast and sauerkraut for us, Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Karen!
Fun! Wishing you and yours all the best for this new year, dear Karen, hope it’s a good one!
Amalia
xo
Happy, Healthy New Year, Karen!
Your traditions sound very yummy! We don’t have any New Year’s food traditions in our family. On our table, however, we always light the unity candle from our wedding ceremony during our New Year’s dinner. 🩷
This post made me chuckle as my favorite New Year’s Day dish is black-eyed peas + collards while Laura’s favorite is pork + sauerkraut. 🙂 Happy New Year, Karen!!
A happy and healthy New Year to you and your family. My husband would love the pork and sauerkraut.
Whether it’s luck or just plain good cooking, you’re definitely starting the year off right with a belly full of happiness and flavor. Here’s to many more delicious traditions and shared meals in the year to come!
Yes, the question is always when to stop the revelry. One of my daughters has a birthday Jan 2, so we have a good excuse to go even one day longer! Love pork and would have no problem celebrating with it!
Happy New Year to you, Karen! Thank you so much for all the delicious posts and recipes.
I have to admit that my tradition is to be asleep at midnight of New Year’s Day, and it’s worked quite well for me. You’re probably wondering if I have a control for comparison, and yes I do – in the multiverse. And I’ve fared much better than my multiverse selves.
Wishing you good health and happiness for 2024!
Wishing you a happy and healthy New Year, Karen.
Happy 2023 Karen!
We had black eyed peas, okra and of course Texas cast-iron pan cornbread. So far, it working.
Take care, be safe and healthy..