Texas Caviar, Good Luck Black Eyed Pea Dip! Eating black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day to bring prosperity in the new year is a Southern United States tradition that my husband brought to our family!
Texas Caviar | Good Luck Tradition
So every January 1st, Alan will make a big batch of black-eyed peas. For extra luck, he throws a dime into the pot and it’s believed that the person that scoops up a bowl with the dime will have SUPER good luck!
It’s a fun tradition that Alan grew up with, and has kept alive in our family.
Can I tell you a secret??
I’ve never been a big fan of black-eyed peas. I like all types of legumes, but the “good luck” peas are just ok tasting. They require a LOT of doctoring up with salt and spices.
Adding ham helps quite a bit, so that’s often added to the pot.
With that in mind, I’ll eat a bowl, but I never get the dime because my one bowl is actually a cupful. Not enough to scoop up the lucky prize!
Texas caviar dip!
The only other time I’ve eaten black-eyed peas is in this Texas caviar dip! This recipe changed my black-eyed peas tastebuds for the better!
The recipe is from a real Texan, a neighbor of ours from when we lived in Hawaii. We lived on a military base, so my neighbors were from all over the world, and we shared a lot of potluck meals.
I’m not sure if this is a traditional New Year’s Day dish in Texas, but I do know that when asked what my neighbor could bring to the next event, Texas caviar was always requested!
What to serve with Texas caviar dip?
Alan’s tradition is still alive! We have a crockpot full of black-eyed peas right now, but I doubled our good fortune by making Texas Caviar for New Year’s Eve!
The flavors are TASTY and so addicting! We seriously could have eaten the whole bowl!
Enjoy the traditional way with tortilla chips or mix up the serving with one of the following:
- Serve with celery sticks
- Make lettuce wraps
- Serve as a side dish with Grilled Chicken
- Add a scoop to Healthy Fish Tacos
- Enjoy in a tortilla wrap
- Mix in quinoa
How long to Texas caviar Keep?
This dip can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Make several hours in advance to give the flavors time to mingle.
Next time, I think I’ll add a dime to the mix right before serving, and I’m certain I’ll have a very good chance of scooping it up with my tortilla chip!!
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous year!!
Texas Caviar Recipe, Good Luck Black-Eyed Pea Dip!
Texas caviar dip if often made for the New Year! This easy recipe is delicious and is symbol of a prosperous year!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds tomatoes, seeded and diced
- 2 scallions, sliced
- 2 tablespoons diced green chilies
- 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and diced
- 2 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 can (15 ounce) black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
- scoop tortilla or corn chips
Directions
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Best if made 1 day in advance to let flavors blend. Serve with scoop tortilla or corn chips.
Recipe Notes
Norma Chang
Love the looks and sound of the black-eyed peas caviar. Definitely put a dime in the bowl.
Sandra
Thank you! Yes, I think next time I’ll add the dime! Wishing you a wonderful year, Norma!!
Bam's Kitchen
Happy New Years to you and your family! I remember reading that black eyed peas on this New Year represents good luck and I say we should do everything we can to promote it. Love the looks of that delicious caviar and I bet it is even better the next day. Take care, BAM
Sandra
You are so right, it does taste better the next day! Wishing you and your family new adventures and the happiest of days 🙂
Hotly Spiced
Who got the dime? I think that’s a lovely tradition. I love the look of this dip and your corn chips are great for the scooping. I don’t think we can buy those here. I hope you have a happy and healthy 2014 xx
Sandra
Thank you, Charlie! No one has claimed the lucky dime yet! I think we may have overdosed on our black-eyed peas consumption! Cheers to a fabulous 2014 🙂
Karen (Back Road Journal)
I had to smile when reading your post. Growing up in Texas, you had to have black-eyed peas on New Year’s day and yes, the caviar recipe is very popular. My husband is like you…he will begrudgingly eat a spoonful for good luck. I now make a black-eyed pea risotto with shredded ham hocks that he loves and we had again this year. We are assured of another lucky year. 🙂
Sandra
You made me smile back with your comment! Thanks for giving me the Texan scoop on the caviar 🙂 I’m totally intrigued by your risotto. I hope I can search for it on your site.
yummychunklet
Happy new year! This dip looks great!
Sandra
Thanks and happy new year to you and your family 🙂
Denise
This is one of those dips that everyone devours! The flavors are best about a day after the ingredients are mixed. I make this for all my holiday gatherings.
Julie
I bet it was an adventure living around people all over the world. I think this would be my preferred way to eat black-eyed peas too. I could scoop a bucketful up and be looking for more.
Sandra Shaffer
It was really some of the best times of our lives. Wouldn’t trade our experience with military life for anything….especially since we got to try so many different types of food 😉
debi at Life Currents
This looks delicious! Perfect for healthier snacking and the big football game coming up!
Debra C.
This is so good! Everyone loved this dip – a real winner! Thank you for another great recipe!