Want to get rich? I'm going to tell you go to get rich in the upcoming year! Maybe that's a stretch. I don't have the keys to finding wealth, but I am unlocking some of the superstitions surrounding your New Year's meal. Here in the south, collard greens and corn bread bring the money on on New Year's Day.
It's actually cabbage that is king green around most of the world for New Year's meals. Cabbage is a late crop and would be available this time of year. Collard greens are a late crop too, but they are mostly grown in the south. Traditionally, cabbage was picked and turned into sauerkraut. Sauerkraut, a fermented product, would just be ready to eat around New Year's day.
Cabbage and collard greens both represent "green" money in New Year's tradition, but, historically, cabbage was eaten for health benefits. Cabbage was eaten by everyone from Caesar to the Egyptians to aid in digestion and for nutrition, later for the prevention of scurvy. Aristotle, the philosopher, ate cabbage before drinking alcohol to keep the wine "from fuddling his prudent academic head." I wonder why we don't eat it on New Year's Eve? Eating collard greens isn't too far off from Caesar and Aristotle. The ancient cabbage those guys ate was probably closer to kale than our modern cabbage.
Collard greens (or any greens) sub for cabbage in the south because that's what we grow here in the late fall. The southern tradition: each bite of greens you eat is worth $1,000 in the upcoming year. I don't like greens much, so I'm surprised I'm not broke. Last year, I probably only ate about $5,000 worth!
Corn bread represents pocket money or spending money. It's another soul food we eat on New Year's. The tradition stems from the color of the bread. It's color represented "gold" or "coin" money. Plus, it goes well with collard greens, peas and pork.
We know what we're doing down here.
Comments
Enjoyed your article. I am from Ga. but moved up north several years ag and had forgotten why we eat those certain foods on New Years day, I miss the “Good ole’ Southern Hospitality. Thanks for sharing.
I have never even heard of this tradition. Going to try it this yr. Thank you!
We do this EVERY YEAR and have as long as I can remember! Found you articles when I goggled “Jowl” to check my spelling! LOL! We were told as a child the Turnip Greens were for the “GREEN MONEY”, Black eyed peas were for “CHANGE” and the Jowl was for “good health”. So its really close to your research and explanations. THANKS!