Happy New Years!! My mom always would make us Black Eyed Peas for the New Year.  It’s about the only thing she cooks all year and it gets the year off to a good start!!  My mom is the only person I know that puts lentils in her Black Eyed Peas.  I looked it up and Lentils on New Years is an Italian custom and since she is Italian, that makes sense!!  Both Black Eyed Peas and Lentils are eaten as a symbol for good luck and prosperity! I really want both, so this year I decided I was going to make my own Black Eyed Peas!

Recipe:
8 ounces Hog Jowls
2 cups of Black Eyed Peas
1/2 cup of Lentils
Pico De Gallo (I got this pre-made from Krogers)
1 can of Rotel
Pinch of salt and pepper
Tsp of sugar

1st step:  Pick through the Black Eyed Peas and then soak them over night. 

2nd step:   Boil the Hog Jowls for about an hour. 

Using the same water, add in the black eyed peas, lentils, and rest of the ingredients and simmer with the lid on for 2.5 hours or until the peas are tender