Let's see what 2021 dumped on us...loss of Jay's mom, quarantines, recovery, work stresses (understatement), return of epilepsy, storm damage, crop failures, blown engine, wrecked vehicle, increasing prices, and decreasing availability of products.
I vote for a restart. Let's do this, 2022!
I'm not usually superstitious, not even a little stitious. I believe in God, not fates or luck. But, just for fun, I searched up foods that bring good luck, foods to eat on a new year.
The black eyed peas, I knew, thanks to our friend Jenna making black eyed pea dip one New Years Eve, decades ago. Apparently, it is "peas for pennies, greens for dollars, gold for gold" so we should be having black eyed peas, collard greens, and cornbread.
Pork is supposed to bring prosperity and progress, because pigs root ahead as they eat, or because pigs never look back, according to a highly professional google search. Personally, I know pigs as wicked smart and therefore highly destructive animals. So, I guess if we can use our brains to wreck some havock in the year ahead by eating pork, let's do it!
And, I think family is the KEY to a great new year.
So, I found a way to combine all of those in tonight's meal. I'm making my Aunt Alice's Chalupa soup, substituting half the pinto beans with black eyed peas. We will add some fresh greens from our high tunnel (albeit probably spinach or kale instead of collard greens), and some hot cornbread muffins. I think we are covered.
May 2022 kick 2021 in the tail.
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My Crazy Ol' Aunt Alice's Chalupa Soup
- 3-4 pound pork roast
- 1 pound pinto beans (or 1/2 pound pinto beans)
- 1/2 pound black eyed peas
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 T salt
- 1 T cumin
- 1 can green chilis
- 7 cups water
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 T chili powder
- 1 tsp oregano
Mix all ingredients and cook on low in a crock pot for 8 hours. Enjoy!
