CAROLINA PLANTATION

Carolina Plantation Cowpeas is the newest addition to the historical foods grown at Plumfield. Cowpeas and rice were a mainstay for most people during the Colonial era. Cowpeas were first introduced into the West Indies from Central Africa and then (like rice) into the Carolinas in the 1600's. The red cowpea is the original pea used in the recipe "Hoppin' John", a delicious dish of rice and peas eaten by Southerners for generations. Eating Hoppin' John and collard greens on New Years Day is an old Southern Tradition because of the good luck it brings the whole year through.