Superstitions run rampant in the South.  Some of the more well-known ones are:  step on a crack, break your momma’s back; don’t cross a black cat or you’ll have bad luck; don’t walk under a ladder, or you’ll have more bad luck; break a mirror and you’ll have 7 years bad luck.  I like to focus on the superstitions that bring good luck, such as, find a penny, pick it up and all day long you’ll have good luck, or rubbing a rabbit’s foot, or my favorite – eating black-eyed peas and turnip greens on  New Year’s Day to ensure a prosperous year.

For the past fifteen years, my husband and I have hosted a Hoppin’ John party to provide tasty black-eyed peas and turnip greens for our friends in hopes of bringing another year of good luck.  The suggested origin of this tradition dates back to the Civil War, when Union troops, especially in areas targeted by General…