this sounds like "Hopping John ". is it really a New Years traditional dish in the southern states ? and is it OK to kinda par-mash the end result? like mushy peas? i do anyhow, & anoint liberally with the hot sauce of the moment. pretty good all year 'round ! regards peter g <<I just cook down the black eye peas with pork fat back, chiles, green peppers and red ones for flavour and seasonal colours, lotsa garlic, onion,>>