Tradition says that eating it ensures that one's pockets will be full of change in the future. And pairing it with collards guarantees folding money. Hoppin' John comes from South Carolina's Lowcountry. The slaves who worked rice plantations in the 17th and 18th centuries are believed to have created the dish. The recipe you use determines how humble your dish actually is.
Some cooks add celery, onion and ham hock to cook their dried peas.
Some add garlic and thyme to make a diminutive jambalaya. But hurried cooks need their own version. In the bottom of a large pot, cook the sausage over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a fork. As it cooks, peel and chop onion. Drain sausage, retaining 2 or 3 tablespoons of fat, and add onion to pot.