Everyone should have a special soup to start off the new year. 

Traditionally, in the South, we eat black-eyed peas for luck and collard greens for prosperity, so, why not knock out two things at once! Besides, it’s delicious!

Serves 8

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 stalks celery, chopped
4 carrots, peeled and cut into coins
4 cups dry black-eyed peas, rinsed
1 bunch collards, stalks removed and chopped
2 cups chopped canned Italian tomatoes
3 cups (or 4-5 links) chicken sausage or smoked kielbasa, sliced
10 cups low sodium vegetable or chicken broth
1 handful fresh, baby spinach
1 piece of Parmesan cheese rind (optional)

Heat olive oil in stock pot. Sauté onion, celery and garlic until soft. Add all other ingredients. If you add the rind, wrap in cheese cloth add to the soup and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for about 90 minutes. You may need to add more broth if you feel the soup is getting too thick.

You can leave the soup as it is, or slightly purée with a hand blender.

Of course once you eat, you are on your way to being rich and lucky!