Most cultures have a tradition of eating certain foods on New Year’s Day to assure a prosperous and healthy new year. Even the least superstitious of us, tend to partake of these foods just because they’ve become an annual tradition.
Black eyed peas and sauerkraut are a New Year’s tradition in my home, and even though my children turn up their noses and make faces, they’d miss it if I didn’t serve it!
Here are a few of my favorites:
Black-eyed peas
Thought to have originated in the southern United States, they are eaten to promote prosperity. The peas look like pennies and represent wishes for abundance of good things in life. They are often served in a recipe called “Hoppin’ John.”
Champagne
The custom originated in France, but drinking champagne is now an international tradition for life celebrations. The bubbles of champagne represent hope for a vibrant year ahead.
Cornbread
This tradition comes from the southern United States as well. The color resembles gold and represents hope for a prosperous future.
Greens
A South American and European tradition, greens (kale, collards and cabbage) represent money. The belief is, the more you eat, the more prosperous you’ll be. And ““ bonus ““ they’re good for you!
Lentils
Italy and Hungary are credited with the tradition of serving green lentils with sausage. Like greens, the color resembles money. When they plump up in water, they symbolize growing wealth.
Long noodles
An Asian custom, long noodles signify longevity. The noodles are never to be broken or shortened during the cooking ““ usually stir-fry ““ or eating process. The first noodle should be slurped whole to bring a great year ahead.
Pickled herring
German, Polish and Scandinavian cultures eat this at the stroke of midnight to ensure a year of bounty. The silvery color of the fish represents coins and is a good omen for future fortune.
Pomegranate
Common in Turkey, the exterior red color represents the human heart, which denotes life. The medicinal properties of the pomegranate represent health, and their abundant round seeds represent fertility.
Pork
Cuba, Spain, Portugal, Hungary and Australia serve pork to symbolize forward progress in life. Pigs are thought to be chosen because they always push their snouts forward with rooting for food. For folks who don’t eat pork, anything shaped like a pig works as a substitute, such as cookies cut in the shape of a pig. In Cincinnati, pig-shaped food isn’t too hard to find!
Note: Avoid serving fowl. Birds scratch backwards as they search for food, and no one wants to go backward in life or have to scratch for a living.
Round cakes and cookies
Common in most cultures, these items represent a wishes for a sweet year. In Greece, a coin is baked into the cake. Whoever gets the slice of cake with the coin is assured of prosperity in the coming year.
Round fruits
The United States, Philippines and Europe serve round fruit (grapes, oranges and apples) and encourage eating 12 pieces to assure a sweet year.
Whole fish
Only for the strong of stomach! Fish are served in China with the head and tail intact to represent a good year start to finish.
Do you have any traditional foods for the new year? Let us know on Facebook!
