Black-eyed pea tradition may have local roots

VICKSBURG, MS (Mississippi News Now) - Each year many of us follow New Year traditions like making resolutions, kissing as the clock strikes at midnight, and eating black-eyed peas.

Did you know that some people believe that black-eyed pea tradition can be traced back to Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Check out this excerpt from the food website Epicurious.com.

"In the Southern United States, it's traditional to eat black-eyed peas or cowpeas in a dish called hoppin' john. There are even those who believe in eating one pea for every day in the new year. This all traces back to the legend that during the Civil War, the town of Vicksburg, Mississippi, ran out of food while under attack. The residents fortunately discovered black-eyed peas and the legume was thereafter considered lucky."

So it may be more legend than hard core history, but it makes for a delicious story, and tradition.

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