Folks around the world celebrate the New Year with traditional symbolic foods, but the South does it best. This year, pile your plate high with Southern favorites like slow-cooked field peas, braised greens, and tender pork to guarantee your family prosperity in 2015.

Oh, and don’t forget the cornbread! While it may not have an official symbolic status, we think it deserves one. Cornbread is a symbol of the Southern soul—a reminder that even on those days when we’re feeling a little low on luck and prosperity, we have the grit and determination to thrive.

Wishing you all a rich, wonderful, and very Happy New Year!
For wealth:
Collards with Smoked Sausage and Pickled Okra
For luck:
Black-Eyed Peas with Tomatoes
For progress:
Skillet Pork Chops
Just because:
Buttermilk Cornbread
Easy all-in-one recipe:
Hoppin’ John Casserole