Traditional Lucky New Year’s Day Foods

For one day a year, at least, most of us look forward to the New Year. What we can change. What we will do differently. New Year’s Day is a day to reflect upon the last year and make plans for a great year ahead.

This year, why not combine hard work and thoughts with some Traditional Lucky New Year’s Day foods?

Pork and Sauerkraut

According to the Pennsylvania Dutch, if pork and sauerkraut are eaten together on New Year’s Day, it will bring you luck. Apparently, pigs are forward thinkers because all four hooves point forward and they root forward for food. The long strands of sauerkraut represent long life.

Recipe to Try: Pork Tenderloin with Sauerkraut (Gluten Free!)

Black Eyed Peas, Collard Greens, and Pickled Peaches

The peas represent good fortune because they say the peas look like coins, the collard greens are said to look like money, which will bring prosperity and and the pickled peaches look like gold.

Recipes to Try:  Gina’s Hoppin’ John Soup, Quick Pickled Peaches

Pomegranates

Mediterranean cultures associate the fruits with abundance and fertility. Eat them straight from the fruit!

Herring

The Germans and Poles both eat herring on New Year’s Day because it represents good luck.

Recipe to Try: Scandinavian Pickled Herring Bites

Noodles

In many Asian countries, long noodles are eaten on New Year’s Day to bring a long life (like the sauerkraut does for the Pennsylvania Dutch). BUT – Don’t don’t break the noodle before it is all in your mouth!

Recipe top Try: Chicken and Edamame Asian Noodles

Lentils

Like the black eyed peas, lentils resemble tiny coins and the custom of enjoying lentils in the New Year is a common Italian tradition said to bring wealth.

Recipe to Try: Curried Lentil Soup over Jasmine Rice

Cornbread

Because its color is similar to Gold, corn bread is eaten for prosperity.

Recipe to Try: Farmer Deron’s Cornbread

Round Foods

Cakes, pastries, cookies, and round fruits like clementines are often enjoyed on New Year’s Day as their shape represents the year has come full circle and the New Year holds the promise of a fresh start.

Recipe to Try: Apple Ring Coffee Cake