1. Black-Eyed Peas
A tradition steeped in southern heritage, black-eyed peas are traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day because of their resemblance to coins.This is the one I usually keep ;)
2. Greens
Can you guess why greens might be popular New Year’s Day fare? That’s right–they are the color of money! Although stewed greens like collards and kale are popular in the southern United States, other great options include green cabbage or swiss chard.
3. Pork
I have heard various explanations for why pork is auspicious to eat on New Year’s Day, including the healthy physique of the pig foreshadowing abundance in the coming year, or the fact that pigs always move in a forward direction with their noses when rooting around for food, indicating the act of moving forward into the new year. Regardless, pork is delicious, and it just so happens that it can be paired beautifully with many of the other items on the lucky foods list!
4. Round/Ring-Shaped Foods
What if I told you that those doughnuts you love to eat for breakfast might just bring you good luck in the new year? In case you needed any more of an excuse to indulge, ring-like foods (including doughnuts) symbolize a year that’s come full circle.
5. Grapes
In Spain, it is customary to eat twelve grapes at midnight on New Year’s Day: one grape for each stroke of the clock to symbolize the twelve months that have just come to a close and the twelve months to come.
Long Noodles
In China, Japan and other Asian countries, it’s customary to eat long noodles, signify longevity, on New Year’s Day. Since the noodles are never to be broken or shortened during the cooking process, the typical preparation for “Long-Life Noodles” is a stir-fry. Photo: Thinkstock
Pork
In some countries, including Cuba, Spain, Portugal, Hungary and Austria, pigs symbolize progress. Some say it’s because these animals never move backward, while others believe it’s all in their feeding habits (they push their snouts forward along the ground when rooting for food). And it's not limited to pork—foods shaped like pigs (think cutout cookies) count, too. Photo: Heath Robbins/Getty Images
Round Fruits
Though the number of pieces varies by region, eating any round fruit is a common New Year’s tradition. In the Philippines, the custom calls for 13, considered a lucky number; in Europe and the U.S., it calls for 12, which represents the months in a year. In both cases, their shape, which looks like a coin, and their sweetness are the common denominators. Photo: Thinkstock
Whole Fish
According to Doris Lum, a Chinese cuisine expert, the Chinese word for “fish” sounds like the word for “abundance,” one of the many reasons fish has become a go-to good luck food. Also, Rosemary Gong writes in Good Luck Life, her book on Chinese celebrations, that it’s important for the fish be served with the head and tail intact to ensure a good year, from start to finish. Photo: IMAGEMORE Co., Ltd./Getty Images
Pomegranate
Pomegranates represent good luck in Turkey for many reasons: Their red color, which represents the human heart, denotes life and fertility; their medicinal properties represent health; and their abundant, round seeds represent prosperity—all things everyone hopes for in any fresh start. Photo: Thinkstock
Lentils
A popular New Year's meal in Italy is Cotechino con Lenticchie (green lentils with sausage) because of the legume's greenish color and coin-like appearance. Deeper into the myth: When cooked, lentils plump with water, symbolizing growing wealth. Lentils are also considered good luck in Hungary, where they’re preferred in a soup. Photo: Shutterstock
Pickled Herring
In Germany, Poland and Scandinavia, it's believed that eating herring at the stroke of midnight will ensure a year of bounty—as herring are in abundance throughout Western Europe. Also, their silvery color resembles that of coins, a good omen for future fortune. Photo: Thinkstock
Cornbread
A favorite throughout the year, cornbread is especially venerated as a New Year’s treat in the southern United States. Why? Its color resembles that of gold. To ensure extra luck, some people add extra corn kernels, which are emblematic of golden nuggets. Photo: Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images
What food do you Eat On New Years Day?
Here is a yummy dip For New Years Day!
Black Eyed Pea Dip
1 medium onion chopped
2 Tablespoons of Butter
1 (16oz) can of Black Eyed Peas, drained & rinsed (I used Luck’s brand)
1 (14oz) can of Artichoke Hearts (drained & chopped)
1 Tablespoons of Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayo
1 envelope of Buttermilk Ranch Mix
1 cup of Mozarella cheese or Cheddar Cheese (whatever you have on hand)
Chop your onion & saute in butter until golden brown.
Mix the sour cream, mayo & buttermilk ranch mix in a large bowl. Then add everything else to the bowl & mix in your saute onions when they’re done. I reuse the cast iron skillet that I used to saute the onions & bake the dip at 350* for 20 minutes. It’s a one bowl & one pan recipe.
