They were all excited one day about the cook making black-eyed peas. All day they were talking about it. Me being a Yankee they asked me if I had ever had black-eyed peas. (”uh no.” They went on and on how it was the best thing ever, etc.
And then the other food questions.
“Grits?” Nope.
“Corn on the cob?” Uh - yeah.
“Fried Chicken?” Are you guys serious? (they were)
“Watermelon?” And a bunch of others that were similar.
When we finally got into dinner I took some black-eyed peas.
Took a bite and commented “So what? They're beans.”
I just about got run-off the drill site!
Years later I married, and mother-in-law always serves black-eyed peas for New Years.
And my reaction to grits the first time having them was similar to the black-eyed peas. (I hope I don't get run-off FR!?) Now deep fried okra is okay if done right, and I don't know if it is southern - but it sure is trash - scrapple (blood sausage?) - and that is sure good. But it's been years since I had it.