Almost every family has their traditions for New Year’s. My Mama instilled in my brother and me the tradition of making black-eyed peas and collards. As with a lot mothers of the South, these legumes and veggies, respectively, were never from the can. So as homage to my Mama, that’s what we’re going to do today! If your heart just pumped a little bit of kool-aid, calm down, it’s going to be easy!
Why do people eat black-eyed peas for New Year’s?
Welp! Eating black-eyed peas in some form, whether in Hoppin’ John or just as regular black-eyed peas, is believed to bring luck and prosperity to the New Year. Eating black-eyed peas during the New Year is a tradition that goes across cultures and nationalities. So contrary to what’s usually believed, eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day is not just a Southern tradition.
What’s going in the slow cooker black-eyed peas?
Traditionally in the South, you can find most veggies and legumes cooked with some type of pork in it for flavor. We’re going to change it up, but we’ll still have all the flavor!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A bag of dry beans (soak them to your preference; I soaked mine overnight.)
- Smoked turkey necks (omit if you’re making your black-eyed peas vegan – instead add a few Tbsp of veggie base during the last hour or two of cooking.)
- Bay leaves
- Fenugreek seeds (these are optional, but you can find these at a health food store like Sprout’s or you can order them here.)
- Salt
- Pepper
Are any special cooking instruments needed?
You’re definitely going to need a slow cooker! They make all kinds nowadays, you have the analog/manual ones or you can shoot for the moon and get a digital slow cooker. Either way you’ll get your money’s worth and it’ll definitely get the job done! When reheating my slow cooker black-eyed peas, I prefer to do it in a cast iron skillet…so good!
If you have reservations about cooking your black-eyed peas in a slow cooker, you can always cook them slow and low in a wonderful Dutch oven.
Let’s get to it! Remember, if you ReCreate this recipe rate and comment below and tag me in IG: macnificentrecreations.
Easy Slow Cooker Black-Eyed Peas
Equipment
- Slow cooker
Ingredients
- 16 oz Dried black-eyed peas Soaked- I chose to soak mine overnight, but there are other ways to soak them. See the back of the package.
- 4 -5 Smoked turkey necks Various sizes.
- 2 Bay leaves
- 1 – 1½ Tbsp Fenugreek seeds
- 2½ – 3 C Water
- Sea salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- To your slow cooker, add all the ingredients except salt and pepper.
- Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or until the black-eyed peas are tender. In the last hour to 30 minutes of cooking salt and pepper to taste.
Ummmhmmm good. Traditions may not necessarily bring luck as much as they initiate a chain reaction of legacy, actions of love and compassion.
#facts 🙂
The blackeye peas came out great!
Awesome! Glad you enjoyed them! 🙂