New Year's Food Traditions

Filed in archive Morsels of Info on December 30, 2007

Have you ever tried to eat twelve grapes in twelve seconds?

Last year we followed this New Year's Eve tradition with a Spanish couple who insisted the entire table should join in to bring us all good luck in the New Year. At the stroke of midnight, at each of the twelve chimes, we had to pop a grape in our mouths and chew and swallow it before the next chime. This is not easy!




All around the world, people set the table with food that symbolizes good luck, prosperity and longevity on New Year's Eve.

In Italy large bowls of lentils, symbolizing good luck in the coming year, are enthusiastically feasted upon. In some regions, rich sausages called contechino, which symbolize the richness of life, are also enjoyed with the lentils.

The Japanese slurp extra long soba noodles, being careful not to break them, to ensure a long life.

A cake with a coin baked inside, called a Vasilopitia, is shared in Greece. Whomever gets the piece with the coin will have good luck in the New Year.

A big slice of watermelon is good fortune in Vietnam due to its red colored flesh.

In the Southern U.S., black eyed peas are eaten to ensure wealth in the New Year. Often, collard greens or other greens accompany the little legumes, again to ensure a prosperous year.

In the Netherlands, food in the shape of a ring, such as doughnuts are considered good luck because the shape represents coming full circle.

Do you follow any cultural or family New Year's traditions?