Make sure to eat your peas and greens!

It's a long-standing tradition, definitely Southern but I think it's spread, that blackeye peas and greens must be eaten on New Year's Day. The peas bring luck and the greens bring wealth in the coming year. I never questioned this maxim when I was a kid, since blackeye peas and greens are among my favorite foods anyway. One year, 2006, I skipped because we were traveling. 2006 went on to be the worst year of my life. Since then I've never skipped and I hope I never will again.

This year I'm trying a little something different and mixing the peas and greens into one big mess. It's simmering on the stove right now and looking delicious, with honey cornbread in the cast-iron skillet in my oven. If all that's standing between you and a good year is one recipe, then try this one!

MESS O' GREENS AND BLACKEYE PEAS

big glug of olive oil
half an onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 dried habanero, crushed thoroughly, or a tablespoon of crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
salt to taste
1 Tbsp dulse (optional; it's a purple seaweed that tastes just like salt pork)
1 lb mixed greens (mine are collard, mustard, turnip, and spinach)
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 cans blackeye peas, drained
1/3 cup white wine
1/2 cup veggie chicken broth (or any broth)
1/2 small can tomato sauce

In a big Dutch oven or heavy pot, saute the onions in the olive oil until almost translucent. Add the garlic and spices, and cook for a minute or two. Add in the greens, a handful or two at a time, and keep sauteeing until they're wilted enough so that they all fit in the pot together. Stir in the remaining ingredients and simmer covered 40 minutes, stirring every now and then until done. Serve with cornbread to sop up the juice.

It is a monsoon out there in Portland today. Last night I woke up to the sound of heavy rain, and I snuggled a little closer to K in my warm snug soft bed, and said a little prayer of gratitude for the roof over my head and my warm bed and husband. It's a good year thus far.