Hoppin john is a rice and black-eyed peas dish served in the southern states on New Year's Day for good luck. It is cooked with a little chopped-up ham, celery, onions and salt and pepper. Served with it are sides of collard greens and cornbread. My daughter, who was raised in South Carolina from fourth grade on, makes it every year - I eat a little, but having New Jersey taste buds, it is not my favorite meal. Faye