A New Year’s Feast

Happy New Year!!

Growing up, I have alwayshad the same meal for New Year's Day. Some type of greens, hoppin' john, cornbread, and some cut of pork. Those who don't eat pork will tend to eat fish to go alongside the hoppin' john and greens. As far as I can remember, this has always been the tradition. 

This New Year's Feast, has been passed down from generation to generation with roots tracing back to enslaved times. During slavery, those who were enslaved would come together for Watch Night or Freedom's Eve, to watch, pray, and reflect together for the new year to come. Today, many Black Christians will still go to church for New Year's Eve service as they pray and worship their way into the New Year. 

The four things in this meal all have a special symbolic meaning. The greens symbolize financial wealth or cash money. People will use collard, mustard, turnip or kale greens, and some may even use cabbage. These leafy greens were some of the only things that enslaved Africans were allowed to grow. Hoppin' John, which is essentially rice and black-eyed peas is another must-have. Traditionally made using field peas, this rice dish is meant to represent coins, good luck and fortune. It has been said that the crops for these peas were left untouched because they were deemed as "food for livestock", or in other words Union soldiers refused to eat them. Because of this, enslaved Africans were able to survive by eating them, and it was indeed their good luck. Cornbread  is a Southern classic which represents the gold for prosperity. The last part of this meal is pork. Pork has been a staple for years and years in the southern Black community. Typically, enslaved Africans would only be able to have the leftover tough cuts of the pig, mainly the ham hocks or intestines, also known as chitlins. The pork on the plate represents abundance and progression as pigs always move forward. Fish is also used in households that don't eat pork because they also swim forward, where as chickens and other poultry animals scratch backwards. 

Every culture has their own tradition, especially during the holidays, and this one has always been one of my favorites. While my faith is rooted in God, being able to have this meal every Jan 1, is always a reminder of where those who came before me and come from, their resilience and strength, and where God is taking me. 

Now that you know the history behind the meal, it's time to carry the tradition forward and bring it to life in your own kitchen. Below you'll be able to see my recipes for hoppin' john, cabbage, and cornbread.