Black eyed Peas AND Cabbage for New Years !!!

It is a southern tradition to have black eyed  peas and cabbage on New Years Day to be sure you have a good year .. Be Sure To Leave 3 peas on your plate.. Don't want to be GREEDY !!! :)     Black eyed Peas 1 pound dry black-eyed peas 1 ham hock

salt and pepper to taste

 

Pick through peas being sure to get all the rocks out.. put in colander and wash really good. Cover with water , add ham hock and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 2 hours, adding more water if needed beings sure it is hot so they don't stop cooking. Salt and pepper after they are done..

 

 

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Cabbage

 

1 head of green cabbage

 

Brown about 6 slices of bacon ,( cut into small pieces ) in a large skillet.. when done take bacon out of skillet.. ( DO NOT DRAIN ).

 

Add chopped cabbage in the hot grease piling it high, it will shrink. salt and pepper, lots of black pepper makes the dish...  toss it gently with a spatula until browned around the edges, Put the bacon back in and toss it around to get it evened out through there.. Put in a serving dish, squeezing some of the grease out with the spatula as your taking it out.

 

                                          

 Cornbread is a must with Peas and Cabbage and a hunk of onion on the side :)