Ring in the New Year With Peggy Sue’s Hoppin’ John

Susan Hall, co-owner of Peggy Sue BBQ with husband Marc, grew up eating black-eyed peas and collard greens on New Year’s Day for luck. “My mom had five kids, so she usually opened a can of beans because she didn’t have time to cook. The leafy greens were supposed to mean you’d have money, your cattle crops would be good, and there’d be no hail.” It took a little persuading for Susan to get black-eyed peas on the menu, because her husband wasn’t a fan until he tried her version of  Hoppin’ John, the Carolina specialty made at its simplest with black-eyed peas, rice, and smoked pork. But you’ll have to get to the restaurant early to stock up on some well-seasoned luck—the restaurant will be closed on New Year’s Day.