Oh those New Years side dishes!

As my good Foodie Friend +Mandy Rivers over at "South Your Mouth" points out, tradition and the South go hand in hand! And the rivalry over which foods to cook for New Years is almost as big as the College Bowl Games! 

So as a food blogger I felt compelled to post a family favorite good luck side dish. My Momma's Black-Eyed Peas and Ham Hock Cabbage. - Not so fast!

I've lived in Tennessee for nearly 30 years and I have eaten my fair share of Black-Eyed Peas and Collard Greens! But, without fail my Mom will call the day after Christmas to remind me to pay homage to our Irish roots which means Black-Eyed Peas and Ham Hock Cabbage. So this year I called my brother who recently has spent considerable time and money researching our families Genealogy. So to throw a bigger curve ball at me my brother gives me the quick run down. We have no Irish roots at all! ( I hate that because I love me some cabbage!) 

Scottish and British roots only, going back some 1700 years!

Now, a quick online study of how the Scottish celebrate the New Year tells me I love them already! The tradition is called "Hogmanay" pronounced HOG - MUH - NAY and it can last for days!! 

Plenty of adult drinks, Whiskey! Tons of fun traditions and If (when) you have a hang over the next day
they blame it on the dreaded Black Bun! A dense lump of Christmas pudding wrapped in pastry. 

So, instead of tackling Haggis, a traditional Scottish plate which by the way consists of heart, liver, Suet and lungs all sewn into a clean stomach which is seasoned and boiled. Sorry mom, this year I've decided to cling to my Scottish roots and just have a drink!   -Thanks Dan!

Happy New Years!!

Ernie