“Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas” by Gail Piernas-Davenport

I love that "Shante Keys and the New Year’s Peas” by Gail Piernas-Davenport focuses in on African American New Year traditions that are often overlooked.  Even better, as Shante Keys searches for black eyed peas she takes a tour of other cultural New Year traditions.  The friends she meets along the way are invited back to her home for a big feast.  The book even includes the following recipe in the back:

Grandma Louise’s Hoppin’ John

3/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons canola oil
1 12-ounce package fresh black eyed peas, rinsed
2 2/3 cups chicken broth
1/2 pound cooked ham, cubed
1 bay leaf
cooked rice

Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot and saute the onions, celery and garlic until tender, about three minutes.  Add fresh peas, chicken broth, ham and bay leaf.  Boil for three minutes, then lower heat.  Cover the pot and summer until the peas are tender, about forty-five minutes.  Check the pot occasionally and add water if needed.  Remove the bay leaf and serve over cooked rice.  Season to suit your taste!

Rowen liked Shante Keys and the book made him hungry!  To see the book trailer, click here.