Black-Eyed Pea Soup with Ham And Peppers

Southern tradition says it is good luck to eat black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. But you can eat them any way you like. The how is up to you. Eating black-eyed peas for the holiday is said to bring good luck, health and abundance. If you don’t eat your black-eyed peas you could be tempting fate for the rest of the year. I am not going to tempt fate for the rest of the year. Are you?

I guess Dorrie wants some good luck too. I was doubling up on my chances for good luck with my black-eyed pea soup AND my pretzels. Some German Holiday Traditions

There are a few theories as to how eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day came about. One variation of the superstition says that black-eyed peas were all the enslaved people in the South had to celebrate with on the first day of January. Others say it started during the Civil War in Vicksburg, Virginia, when the town ran out of food while under siege and the inhabitants were lucky enough to discover cow peas (a.k.a., black-eyed peas). Another legend holds that slaves ate black-eyed peas on January 1, 1863, the day the Emancipation Proclamation went into effect because they were all they had. These are only some of the reasons why black-eyed peas have been eaten in the South on every New Year’s Day since. 

I play around with different ways of serving my black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day. This year it was soup. I loaded it with ham, peppers and tomatoes. It was full of rich flavors and goodness, and hopefully good luck.

Black-Eyed Pea Soup With Ham and Peppers

It’s a good thing we like this soup, and soups in general, because I NEVER make just a little bit of soup. I always make a big pot, no matter what kind of soup I make. :)

1 bag dried black-eyed peas, soaked, drained and rinsed, according to the package directions

1/2 each, green, yellow, orange and red bell peppers, diced medium

3-5 carrots, peeled, diced medium

1 red onion, diced medium

1-2 jalapenos, diced fine

3-4 celery stalks, diced medium

2-3 lbs diced, cooked ham

1-2 TBSP garlic

2-3 tomatoes, diced

6-8 cups chicken broth

salt & pepper to taste

3-5 sprigs of fresh thyme

olive oil and butter for cooking

Get a large soup pot hot, add the oil and/or butter and vegetables. Saute for about 3-5 minutes, or until the vegetables and onions begin to soften.

Add the black-eyed peas and broth. Bring to a full rapid boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the ham, fresh thyme and seasonings and tomatoes, and continue to cook at a simmer for about 30-45 minutes, or until everything is hot and the beans are tender, stirring occasionally.

When everything is ready, serve it up by the bowlful and enjoy. You can enjoy this delicious, healthy soup anytime, but you are in for good luck for the year if you enjoy it on New Year’s Day, or so the legend says. :)

Happy New Year Everyone. Happy 2024. May it be safe, healthy and prosperous for all. ’Til next time.