Can you believe it’s almost 2014? New Years is often thought of as a time for renewed hope, and to focus on new goals and opportunities. Many cultures believe the key to a Happy New Year is beginning with Lucky Foods for New Years Eve and New Year day. This post has been so popular, that we add to it each year and republish. Please let us know if we are missing any lucky foods to add to the list.
We love the way these traditions tie into our passion for travel, as it’s always interesting to try local foods and customs when visiting other countries.
New Years Lucky Foods:
Fruits: Eating twelve grapes, one for each chime of a clock. The tradition supposedly started in 1909 by grape growers who wanted to cut down on a surplus of grapes. The grape ritual is said to guarantee sweetness and fortune in the year ahead. Each grape follows the month – so your first grape represents January, 2nd February, etc. If you happen to get a sour grape along the way, it is said to predict that month will be a challenging one in 2014. In Portugal & Cuba, celebrants make a special wish for each grape. In Spain, the grape ritual is often followed by parties that last into the next morning, and end with breakfast. Some variation of the grape tradition is found in many other Spanish speaking countries. Round fruits such as oranges and pomegranates are believed to also symbolize coins and bring a prosperous New Year. Mandarin oranges and tangerines are the most popular fruit in China on new years because of their golden color. In Vietnam red is a lucky color so watermelon is served. In Greece they smash a pomegranate at the entrance of the house – the further the seeds spread the better the luck for the family. In some countries people suck on a few pomegranate seeds and then wrap them in wax paper or a small packet and keep them in their purses or wallets to ensure money year round. Figs are said to be a symbol of fertility.
Beans: Eating
black eyed peas on New Years is said to bring good fortune. Eat
green lentils as well, as they are round which is said to represent coins and green for the color of money. There is a mix at many grocery stores for a 15 bean soup that includes both types of beans. In Italy, people often green lentils with sausages (cotechino con lentichhie.) In Puerto Rico they will often make rice and beans (Arroz con gandules.) In Brazil it’s lentil beans and rice so the tradition of eating beans is throughout several countries. In Portugal black eyed peas are served with boiled cod and potatoes. In Vietnam they are used in a sweet dessert and in Colombia they make breakfast fritters called bunuelos. Black eyed peas, corn bread and collard greens is a traditional Southern dish in the U.S. as is Hoppin’ John. In Japan black beans is often a side dish on New Years said to ensure health in the coming year.
Greens are said to “Show you the money!” Cooked collard, spinach, cabbage and kale are all said to represent paper money. Germans eat lots of sauerkraut, Danish like their kale sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar while in the U.S., collards are quite popular. Make sure and pile it on….the more greens you eat, the more fortune (and fiber) you will have in the coming year.
If you eat meat, pick
pork over chicken or beef on New Year day, because pigs dig with their snout, representing forward movement or progress, while chickens and turkeys scratch backward, and cows stand still (we all want to move forward, not backwards or stay in the same place in the New Year!) If you are the cook in the house, considering putting pork or ham in your black eyed peas or lentils for added flavor. Many cultures including Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary and Ireland eat pork not only because of the believe of moving forward, but fatty meat is also symbolic of fattening their wallets.
Fish is a good choice as well since most swim forward, and the scales are believed to symbolize silver. Another theory is that since many fish swim in schools and lay lots of eggs at one time, believed to be a sign of abundance. I personally would stay away from bottom dwellers like cat fish, just in case that means something will hold you down in the new year (just a thought.) Pickled herring, salted cod, sardines and carp are popular dishes on New Years in European and Scandinavian countries. The Japanese also have fish for prosperity and wealth, as well as shrimp for a long life and herring roe for fertility. In some countries the fish is served whole (head and tail,) symbolizing the end of one year and the beginning of another. No lobster or crab – remember they walk sideways and backwards.
Eat
noodles for longevity. In China the New Year’s meal always include noodles….remember you need a big pot as you want to boil them whole so they are long. Japan has the same belief and serve long toshikoshi soba noodles on New Years day.
Grains:
Rice, quinoa, risotto, barley and other starches symbolize abundance since they swell when cooked.
Sweets: St. Basil’s bread. Known as vasilopita in Greece, St. Basil’s bread plays an important role in Greek New Year’s traditions. The bread itself is sweet, and is baked with a coin hidden in it. At midnight, Greek families turn off the light, and the head of the household slices the vasilopita and shares it among the family. The family member who receives the piece of bread with the coin inside of it is guaranteed to have good luck in the new year. France also serves a cake with a coin or small ceramic inside called King’s cake. Donuts and fritters are popular in Eastern Europe. In Italy many make struffoli which is a dozen small donut like balls place in a circle and held together by honey, and topped with candied fruit and powdered sugar. Donuts and bagels are in the shape of a “ring” are said to symbolize the year coming full circle.
Round fruits such as oranges and pomegranates are believed to also symbolize coins and bring a prosperous New Year. Mandarin oranges and tangerines are the most popular fruit in China on new years because of their golden color. In Vietnam red is a lucky color so watermelon is served. Some people suck on a few pomegranate seeds and then wrap them in wax paper or a small packet and keep them in their purses or wallets to ensure money year round. Figs are said to be a symbol of fertility.
Toast with champagne or prosecco. In some cultures they suggest you take 3 short hops without spilling your drink and then pour throw the champagne behind you to put all the bad stuff in the past. If your champagne lands on someone else – no problem as that is supposed to mean good lucky. Perhaps a bottle of cheap champagne for throwing over your shoulder and a nice bottle for the toast?
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