3 Blackeye Pea Dishes to Bring You Luck in the New Year

You may have heard the age-old tradition that eating blackeye peas on New Year’s can bring you prosperity in the year ahead, which is why we’re sharing our favorite recipes featuring this lucky little bean!

Blackeye peas (sometimes referred to as cowpeas) are legumes that are classified as both a vegetable and a bean due to their protein content. These healthy beans are gluten free, have 7g of plant-based protein and are a great source of fiber. Blackeye peas are commonly cooked with leafy greens or pork and can even be enjoyed plain as they have a great savory flavor and dense but creamy texture. They can also be incorporated into less traditional foods, like blending them into hummus or adding them to your favorite salad. It never hurts to add a little extra plant-based protein to your favorite dishes.

The New Year’s blackeye peas tradition has been followed across the country for years and has been adapted along the way. While blackeye peas represent luck, eating them with greens, such as cabbage, turnip, or collard, is also thought to bring wealth into your life.

Here are some of our favorite ways to incorporate blackeye peas into your New Year’s dishes that will (hopefully) bring you wealth and luck in the new year: