Down here in the South, it is tradition that we (most of us) eat black eyed peas on New Year’s Day for good luck and prosperity in the new year. This tradition may have died out a bit with young generations considering black eyed peas bland and boring…but that may be due to canned beans and poor planning. These babies take about two days to plan/prep, but other than dumping things in a crock pot and waiting, it’s otherwise idiot proof. I use fresh dried beans and soak them 8-12 hours before cooking, but you could skip this step and use frozen black eyed peas just the same. I will not take responsibility if you use canned though…nope.
Not Your Grandma’s Black Eyed Peas
1 lb dried black eyed peas, soaked
1 lb sausage (deer, pork, whatever), cut
1 can rotel tomatoes
1 can stewed/roasted tomatoes
2 small onions, chopped
1 bulb garlic, chopped
1 32 box chicken broth
Salt, pepper, and cajun seasoning to taste
Combine all ingredients in large crock pot and cook on low for 12 hours. Stir occasionally.
Yields: about 6 quarts
Serve with cornbread (Tamale Cornbread recipe here).