I hope you didn’t take that as a snark.
I just never knew it was a regional thing is all I meant. 
In my family it’s tradition (and considered good luck) to have ham, greens and black eyed peas on New Years day. My family is from Appalachia, but I’m wondering if there are any other areas that do this.
I thought to ask because of this thread which seems to be the same menu I’m referring to.
Black eyed peas and greens (for luck/prosperity) on New Year’s Day is done here in Texas.
I think you just solved a long time mystery for me. Both of my maternal grandparents believed this and, while they weren’t from Appalachia, their families were.
North Florida, too, although just black eyed peas, rice, and greens, no ham. Commonly called Hoppin John.
We do/did the black eyed pea thing. The big deal was to throw a penny? in there and the person who found it had good luck for the year.
One year nobody “found” it.
Let’s just say one of our famous presidents took an interesting gastrointestinal journey.
My family does black-eyed peas and cabbage for money. We’re in Texas.
I’ve always heard the black-eyed peas and collard greens were a Southern US thing - both supposedly bring the eater prosperity in the coming year. I stole the tradition several years ago, under the aegis of the prosperity thing, 'cause it’s the only way I got my family to endure one of my favorite meals. Adding a ham to the menu is a concession to my husband, who can’t abide a meatless meal.
Previous threads that may be of interest:
I’ve always heard that eating blackeyed peas on New Year’s Day will bring the eater luck. My mother was quite superstitious about this, and always insisted that all of us eat at least some blackeyed peas on New Year’s. Since I like most beans, I’m quite willing to eat them on any day. My husband DOESN’T like blackeyed peas, but he’s also very superstitious about them, so he always wants me to make at least some beans and he’ll eat a couple of spoonfuls. And make a horrid face. If our daughter is around, he’ll insist that she eat a couple of spoonfuls, too. She’ll do it because she loves her daddy, but she rolls her eyes, because she thinks that blackeyed peas taste like mud.
My mother was born in Missouri, and grew up in Missouri and Texas. My husband has been a Texas boy all his life. My father was a damyankee, but he was willing to eat the peas if it meant quiet in the household. I don’t think that they were his favorite bean, but he tolerated them.
Oh yes…and of course corn bread or corn muffins are wonderful with blackeyed peas.
Chef Troy told me about using chicken broth instead of just plain water to cook beans in. My mother had always used just plain water, partly because her chicken broth resources were either make it herself and freeze it, or use cubes or canned broth, both of which had a lot of sodium in it. But today, we’ve got better broths available. I might use some of the turkey broth from Xmas dinner.
Yum, I’m in! But chances are, we’ll be having New Orleans-style red beans and rice, cuz I just got back from there & brought back the very special “Camellia” brand red kidneys. Also found some andouille sausage at our local market to add into the mix.
If you REALLY like beans, check out http://ranchogordo.com/ mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm great stuff & great shipping! My Christmas order came right on time and a totally cool real Mexican calendar was included in the box.
I know YOU KNOW what’cha talkin’ about. I miss all them beans that I used to eat in Mississippi. Now I live in Maine and the only kind we have are … navy and soldier. And some yellow-eye sometimes. But mixed up with molasses. Not suthrun at all 
In the New Orleans area – at least among my family and the people we know – cabbage is the tradition in place of greens. My mom makes cole slaw for New Year’s Day. My wife makes smothered cabbage.
Camellia produces black-eyed peas, too. Around here (N.O.), they are the default dry-bean brand. Camellia beans are hard to find elsewhere?
…
The local superstition for the meaning of each food is as follows:
Black-eyed peas: Luck
Pork: Health
Cabbage: Money
I don’t think this needs multiple threads; since there were two fairly active threads, I merged them.
I never knew this was a new year thing until this thread. They’re nasty & I’m glad I never had them forced upon me.
Alway! For good luck tradition says.
I’ve never done this, but I have eaten at a restaurant called The Black-Eyed Pea on New Year’s Eve.
Pork and sauerkraut over mashed potatoes with applesauce on the side is traditional fare on New Year’s Day amongst the Pennsylvania Dutch.