A few years back another similar spat happened on MLK day when some high school had a menu of barbecued ribs, collard greens and sweet potatoes. I was fairly peeved that I didn’t have that meal that day.
I worked in Oklahoma on an oil rig for a few months with some boys from Lousiana. The cook made the meals with them in mind. They were saying one day how he was making black-eyed peas for dinner and going on and on about them. I mentioned they sounded good, I had never had them (or heard of them).
At dinner when they were served I said “They’re just beans!” I almost got slugged I think. Then I think they took pity on me for being an ignorant yankee. Then the questions about have you ever had collard greens? (No) Okra? (No). The rest of them were yes and included Watermelon, ribs, corn on the cob and catfish as I recall.
Did end up having okra. Was pretty good when it was breaded and fried. Now have black-eyed peas every New Years Day (wife’s tradition!).