It’s time to get lucky!

It’s the time of the year when we say goodbye to the past and welcome in a new year. Many revelers will be popping the cork and toasting 2015 with champagne, but for millions of people around the world, specific foods are enjoyed to summon good health and prosperity for the next twelve months.

Whether you are like me (and don’t buy into lucky charms, rabbit’s foot or the superstitions surrounding luck to bring you prosperity and blessings) or if you do believe—it’s all good, as we all have different thoughts on this, but one thing we can agree on, I’m sure, it’s fun to have some fun with folklore.

Taking a glance at some of the places around the world, discovering what traditional foods are eaten to celebrate the New Year.

Italy

Lentils

Lentils (soup or served in a salad) are considered to bring prosperity because of their coin-like appearance, plus they plump up after cooking, which folklore says gives you a year of abundant fortune.

Chiacchiere (Italian honey balls)

Chiacchiere (fried dough, dipped in honey and sprinkled in powdered sugar) is a popular recipe for New Year’s Day in Italy and Italian homes around the world.  These delicious treats can be shaped any size, however, for New Year’s they’re made into dough balls, or shaped like a doughnut to symbolize coming full circle.

Germany

Sauerkraut, Stuffed Cabbage, Cole-Slaw

In Germany it is said that cabbage will bring many blessings and wealth.

Makes me wonder if the slang word “cabbage” to mean money came from this tradition.

I love all kinds of vegetables, but ones in the cabbage family are not my favorite. I stuff grape leaves instead, and grapes are a sign of good fortune and green, so I’m covered.

China, Japan & other Asian Countries

Long Noodles

It’s customary to enjoy long noodles in some Asian cultures as it signifies longevity and slurping them brings you extra luck.

It’s important to keep them long, so having them in a stir fry would be appropriate.

 

Dumplings

Gold ingots were once China’s currency. In Chinese kitchens stuffed dumplings resemble those ingots, signifying hope for a fortunate new year.

However, there is a disclaimer with this dish as superstition warns against counting the dumplings. Also, if there is any discourse between family members, this must be resolved before the dumplings are cooked.

Tastier than handing out an olive branch, as I don’t think one can eat an olive branch.

Spain, Cuba, Portugal, Hungary, Austria

Pork

There may be other cultures as well as those listed in the title that believe pigs symbolize progress, because pigs always move forward, and they push their snouts forward along the ground when scrounging for food.

If you’re a vegetarian, no problem. One can consume food that is shaped like a pig (cookies, crackers and if you’re real talented, vegetable or fruit shaped little pigs).

 

Mexico, Spain, Philippines

Round Fruit

The most popular round fruit to eat on New Year’s Eve are grapes. Although any round fruit on New Year’s Day works as well.

In Spain, Mexico and Philippines it is tradition to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, representing good fortune and health for each month of the new year.

However, you can have 13 if you’d like, because in some European cultures and in the Philippines, 13 is a lucky number.

Turkey

Pomegrantes

Pomegrantes are one of my favorite fruits to eat in the winter. Pomegrante juice with a splash of vodka is a tasty (and filled with antioxidants) cocktail as well.

Pomegranates signifies good luck for many reasons. The color red represents the heart, which brings you love. They are abundant with round seeds, a sign of prosperity, and they are chock full of great nutritional value, which brings you good health

Europe and Southern USA

Greens

Green is the color of money, except in Canada, ours is multi-colored, but we do have a few green bills. People in southern USA and all over Europe love to eat a variety of greens on New Year’s day for prosperity. The belief is, the more green you eat, the more cash will come your way.

My favorites are bok-choy, Swiss chard, rapini, broccoli, romaine lettuce, leaf lettuce–actually, besides cabbage family greens, I love them all year round. J’ve never won the lottery, but my tummy is quite pleased.

Southern USA

Corn Bread

The golden color of corn resembles gold nuggets.

More prosperity!

Canada

Chocolate

I decided chocolate will be Canada’s traditional food for the new year. You’ll have to help me spread the word around for this one.

Chocolate is good any time of the year, and it will balance out your life, especially if you have one in each hand.

Cover all your bases

One could create a menu to cover all your bases. For example: a stir fry, with lentils, sausages, green vegetables and long noodles, with a side of green salad, corn bread, followed by a platter of fruit, chocolate and Italian dough balls for dessert.

Even if you don’t win the lottery and strike it rich after trying a few of these dishes, you’ll have won the: let’s have something different to eat on New Year’s Day win-fall.

 

Filed under: Selena's Musings Tagged: Europe, Good luck food, Italy, New Year, traditions