Going Vegan in Alabama

On New Years it is tradition in Alabama and southern states to eat the black eyed peas and cornbread for good luck and prosperity for the New Year ahead. It is also an excellent vegan dish! You can use frozen black eyed peas, add some onions and can of tomatoes or tomato sauce, maybe a diced fresh tomato too and simmer for 45 minutes (beats soaking dried beans!).

This eating of black eyed peas for luck tradition is thought to date back to the Civil War. The blackeyed peas were usually planted as food for livestock as well as the slaves. During the Civil War, the fields of blackeyed peas were ignored by Sherman's troops, although they destroyed or stole other crops. Because these peas were ignored, it gave the surviving confederates a nourishing food.

The cornbread is eaten to signify gold. Other foods also eaten are "greens" with the "greens" representing green paper money and the blackeyed peas representing coins. You can even increase your luck for the New Year by eating exactly 365 blackeyed peas on New Years Day. And, Black-eyed peas eaten with stewed tomatoes represents wealth and health.

I should be covered for luck in the New Year -- Blackeyed peas, Tomatoes and Cornbread -- Good Luck, Wealth, Health and Gold and Vegan!

I would have used my new HD Video Camcorder to show you a picture -- unfortunately, I forgot.

Another saying is however you spend your first day of the new year will indicate the kind of year you will have. We always take down our Christmas Tree -- then watch football (or I work) -- really don't know What that means.

Entertaining friends and presenting them with Vegan dishes is always nerve racking. A good menu could be Cuban Black Beans, fried plantains and coconut pie (made with tofu). Many times you will be surprised at how much your friends will love this vegan fare.

By serving Vegan, you may also get a lot of questions about the vegan lifestyle, like what do you eat and do you eat enough -- you will probably look so good, they will truly want to know. The best example is the food you just served.