Black eyed peas are actually beans, a member of the legume family, that originated in North Africa. They are now a staple in Southern cooking. There is actually a Southern tradition of eating black eyed peas on New Years which was believed to encourage luck in the new year. Cowboy caviar and Hoppin John are both popular recipes featuring black eyed peas. Also check out my Texas Black Eyed Pea recipe for a Texan flair.