The Bean Scene

Black-Eyed Pea Salad

with colorful diced veggies and balsamic dressing

SOUND BITE

Tempt your taste buds with this gorgeous, vibrant salad bursting with veggie and bean goodness! It’s deliciously crisp and fresh, plus it lasts for days in t he fridge. Except it won’t last for days in the fridge, if you know what I mean. And the tasty balsamic dressing is the icing on the cake! Except it isn’t the icing on the cake. (OK, fine, I’ll stop—you have a salad to make.)

Black-Eyed Peas for Good Luck?

In the American South, black-eyed peas have been a symbol of prosperity and good luck dating back to the Civil War. 

The idea is that eating a bowl of these little beans on New Years Day will bring good fortune and prosperity for the year ahead. 

Some say the black-eyed peas represent coins, and if you eat them with greens (which symbolize paper money) and cornbread (representing gold), you’re setting yourself up for a financially lucky year!

Adding a shiny penny or dime to the pot just before serving is another tradition practiced by some. When served, the person whose bowl contains the penny or dime receives the best luck of all. Unless, of course, the recipient swallows the coin, which would be a rather unfortunate start to the year. 

Legend has it that you need to eat at least 365 black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day to have good luck EACH day in the year ahead. That’s a lot of fiber. Just sayin’!

I think black-eyed peas are worth eating all year round—not just on January 1st! They’re creamy, slightly nutty, loaded with protein and fiber—and perfect in salads, soups and stews.

So, whether you believe in superstitions or not, adding black-eyed peas to your diet is a smart move. And I’ve given you a delicious place to start with this simple but sensational bean salad. 

LUCKY you