In a large pot, cook the onion and carrots in the bacon grease on medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes or until onions start to turn golden. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Add to the pot the collard greens, ham, vinegar, broth, chipotles, Ro-Tel tomatoes, and thyme, then bring pot to a boil and then simmer for half an hour, stirring occasionally.
Take one can of black-eyed peas, and roughly mash with a fork. Add these and the other can of black-eyed peas to the pot. Continue to simmer soup for another 45 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
If you don’t want to use pork, that’s fine, but don’t replace the pork with chicken if you’re going to eat this on New Year’s Day. Why? Well, they say eating chickens is a no-no since the birds scratch backwards. I know, I know, I’m not really superstitious, but might as well not take any chances!