Down in The South

This Southern California Girl who transplanted to the South 17 years ago loves her "Greens". Down in the south, New Year's day would not be complete without a taste of collard greens and black-eyed peas.

The tradition of eating collard greens on New Year's Day is said to bring good luck. I learned a few ways to cook up this inexpensive cheap dish over the years.

Well, I was one day off. I made my collards for tonight's dinner. Sauteed in olive oil with tons of garlic and onions and served over rice.

I started this neat tradition in 1993 with my family. The very first year that we moved to Raleigh, NC. I never heard of collards and let alone eat black-eyed peas? I thought my neighbors were nuts!! I said "No Way, I am a Southern California Girl". Well, I tried them and the very next year started our family tradition of making a huge batch of collards leaves and a great big batch Hoppin' John.

Whole Food always has a great "culinary specialist" out demonstrating different ways of cookin' these huge leaves. I like to roll them up like a dollar bills and slice them very thin.

p.s. I like it here in the "South"