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Founding Era - Enslaved West Africans and Lowcountry rice cooks
A Lowcountry rice and black-eyed pea dish tied to Southern New Year tables, pork seasoning, and African-influenced foodways.
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Difficulty
Moderate
Prep time
20 minutes plus soaking
Cook time
1 hour 30 minutes
Total time
About 2 hours plus soaking
Servings
6
Region
Lowcountry and the American South
Era introduced
Founding Era
Introduced by
Enslaved West Africans and Lowcountry rice cooks
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Hoppin' John reflects the braided foodways of the South: rice agriculture, African culinary knowledge, pork seasoning, and New Year's symbolism. It is humble, celebratory, and enduring.
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