Start the Year off Right!

On New Year’s Day, people around the world set the table with foods that are said to bring good luck and prosperity.

For instance, many cultures believe that eating doughnuts will get you more than a flabby tummy. In the Netherlands, anything in the shape of a ring is considered good luck because it symbolizes coming full circle, completing a year’s cycle. So for the Dutch, it’s doughnuts for New Year’s.

And in the American South, there’s a saying that, if you eat peas on New Year’s Day, you’ll have plenty of everything the rest of the year, which is why the dish Hoppin’ John made with black-eyed peas is so popular in many parts of the United States.

Pork plays a role in many countries’ feasts, including Germany, where it’s served with sauerkraut. Sauerkraut is made from cabbage, which is considered another lucky dish, because the leaves are said to represent paper money.

Lentils and pork: In Brazil, as in Italy, bowls of little coin-shaped lentils will be served up to signify wealth. To make the dish even better, chunks of pork sausage are added.

Hidden coin: In Greece, St. Basil’s Cake is served with a gold or silver coin inside. The first slice is for St. Basil (New Year’s Day coincides with St. Basil’s Day, which is named for one of the forefathers of the Greek Orthodox Church), the second slice is for the house and the next slices go to the most senior resident down to the youngest. The one who finds the coin will be blessed with good fortune in the coming year.

Watermelon: For the Vietnamese, watermelon is a sign of luck because of its red flesh. People even dye the seeds red and serve them as delicacies.

Red snapper and soba noodles: Red (or pink) is also considered a lucky color in Japan, where red snapper is served up, as well as long soba noodles. The belief is if you can suck up one noodle completely without it breaking, you will have a long life.

Rice, herring and cod: Rice turns up on New Year’s tables from Vietnam to Scandinavia, where a silky rice pudding is served. Like the St. Basil’s coin, an almond is hidden in the pudding, and the lucky recipient is said to enjoy good fortune.

Grapes: In Spain and Portugal, as well as Mexico and Cuba, it’s tradition to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. According to the legend, Spain enjoyed a gigantic grape harvest at the turn of the 20th Century. The Spaniards considered that a huge stroke of luck, so a dozen grapes from a bunch are eaten in celebration and to ensure another 12 months of happiness.

Sources: Chicago Sun Times