A Global Twist on a Southern Tradition: Black-Eyed Peas and Greens

Peas for pennies, greens for dollars, and cornbread for gold — An old Southern saying In the Southern United States, eating black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread on New Year’s Day is said to bring prosperity—luck and wealth—in the new year. There are several legends as to the origin of this custom, but the tradition in the… Read More

Liberation Soup (Soup Joumou)

Each year Haitian households celebrate their country’s independence on January 1st, the anniversary of Haiti’s Liberation from France, with a traditional soup called soup joumou. During France’s rule of Haiti, the soup was considered a delicacy and forbidden to the slaves. Since Independence in 1804, Haitians have enjoyed this comforting soup as a historical tribute to… Read More