Ring in the New Year with special foods for good luck!  My mother in law taught me that you have to eat black-eyed-peas on New Year’s Day. I grew up eating pork and greens for prosperity and luck.  Over the years, we combined these traditions and generally have Carnitas and this this Cowboy Caviar made with black-eyed-peas and served over greens (your choice – kale, cabbage, lettuce etc.!)

Ingredients (makes 10-12 appetizer or 5-6 salad sized servings):

• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce (or less if you like less spicy or have picky eaters!)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
• Juice of 1-2 limes
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 large or 2 small avocadoes, diced
• 1 can (15 oz.) black-eyed peas
• 10 oz package of frozen corn, defrosted
• 2/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
• 2/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 pound Roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped
• Salt to taste
• Shredded cabbage or other greens if desired OR tortilla chips for dipping

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, mix vinegar, hot sauce, oil, garlic, lime juice and pepper. Peel, pit, and cut avocado into 1/2-inch cubes. Add to vinegar mixture and mix gently to coat.
2. Drain and rinse peas. Add peas, corn, onions, cilantro, and tomatoes to avocado and mix gently to coat.
3. Add salt to taste. Serve pea mixture with chips as an appetizer, or add cabbage or other greens and mix to make a salad.