I love them. I have two 1 pound packages of black-eyed peas and will probably cook them on New Year's Day. I just cooked a package about a month ago. Don't need to wait for a special occasion. I love them all year round. I add either bacon, sausage, ham hock or neck bones with meat, onion, garlic, chicken broth, jalepeno and whatever I see in the fridge, ie, various salsas.