As we head into a new year, people everywhere find themselves looking for ways to generate a little extra luck. Across the world, families incorporate lucky New Year’s foods into their menus in hopes of starting the year strong. From long noodles to round fruits and good-luck grapes, cultures have created rituals believed to bring blessings for the months to come.
Here, Food Town’s foodies have pulled together some of the world’s most popular lucky New Year’s foods, the meaning behind them and even some festive non-food superstitions you can try at home. Read on to get inspired — and if you’re looking for even more ideas, check out our New Year’s Food Traditions Pinterest board!
Tiny but mighty, lentils and legumes have long symbolized wealth and financial prosperity. Their small, coin-like shape makes them a natural match for money-related luck. That’s why Southerners traditionally reach for black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day, often paired with collard greens and cornbread for a full trifecta of good fortune. In Italy, people enjoy cotechino e lenticchie (sausage and lentils), while in Brazil, eating lentils at midnight is believed to usher in abundance.
Pigs root forward, never backward, making pork a long-standing symbol of progress and growth. From roasted ham to pulled pork and sausage dishes, enjoying pork on New Year’s Day is thought to set the tone for an optimistic, forward-moving year.
In many parts of the United States, especially in regions with German or Pennsylvania Dutch roots, pork is paired with sauerkraut for even more good fortune. This tradition comes from several beliefs:
Food Town Tip: Looking for some fun new ways to prepare pork for the new year? Visit our Porky Picks Pinterest board!
Across the globe, fruit plays a surprisingly meaningful role in New Year’s celebrations. Different fruits carry different meanings, and many are eaten to bring luck and a fresh start to the year. Here’s a look at just some of fruit’s rich symbolism:
Green veggies such as cabbage, spinach, broccoli, mustard greens and collard greens are often associated with money and wealth.Many people say green veggies look like dollar bills, which is why they’re linked to money and good fortune.
Fish are often seen as lucky because they swim forward. At the same time, their shiny scales are linked to wealth and abundance.
Grains puff up as they cook, which is why many people see them as a symbol of growth and plenty for the new year.
In Chinese and Japanese culture, long noodles represent a long life, but only if you eat them without cutting or breaking them. Slurping is encouraged! Longevity noodles are a popular New Year’s Eve dish because they’re tied to good health, happiness and a long life.
Lucky New Year’s foods aren’t the only way people around the world welcome good fortune. Here are a few fun non-food customs:
Your neighborhood Food Town has everything you need to make New Year’s lucky foods for less! Shop our Produce department and grocery shelves for great prices on fresh fruits, green vegetables, loads of legumes and grains galore! And don’t forget to swing by our Meat department for quality meats cut in-store and plentiful pork selections. Happy New Year, neighbor! We look forward to seeing you soon!
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As we head into a new year, people everywhere find themselves looking for ways to generate a little extra luck. Across the world, families incorporate lucky New Year’s foods into their menus in hopes of starting the year strong. From long noodles to round fruits and good-luck grapes, cultures have created rituals believed to bring blessings for the months to come.
Here, Food Town’s foodies have pulled together some of the world’s most popular lucky New Year’s foods, the meaning behind them and even some festive non-food superstitions you can try at home. Read on to get inspired — and if you’re looking for even more ideas, check out our New Year’s Food Traditions Pinterest board!
Tiny but mighty, lentils and legumes have long symbolized wealth and financial prosperity. Their small, coin-like shape makes them a natural match for money-related luck. That’s why Southerners traditionally reach for black-eyed peas on New Year’s Day, often paired with collard greens and cornbread for a full trifecta of good fortune. In Italy, people enjoy cotechino e lenticchie (sausage and lentils), while in Brazil, eating lentils at midnight is believed to usher in abundance.
Pigs root forward, never backward, making pork a long-standing symbol of progress and growth. From roasted ham to pulled pork and sausage dishes, enjoying pork on New Year’s Day is thought to set the tone for an optimistic, forward-moving year.
In many parts of the United States, especially in regions with German or Pennsylvania Dutch roots, pork is paired with sauerkraut for even more good fortune. This tradition comes from several beliefs:
Food Town Tip: Looking for some fun new ways to prepare pork for the new year? Visit our Porky Picks Pinterest board!
Across the globe, fruit plays a surprisingly meaningful role in New Year’s celebrations. Different fruits carry different meanings, and many are eaten to bring luck and a fresh start to the year. Here’s a look at just some of fruit’s rich symbolism:
Green veggies such as cabbage, spinach, broccoli, mustard greens and collard greens are often associated with money and wealth.Many people say green veggies look like dollar bills, which is why they’re linked to money and good fortune.
Fish are often seen as lucky because they swim forward. At the same time, their shiny scales are linked to wealth and abundance.
Grains puff up as they cook, which is why many people see them as a symbol of growth and plenty for the new year.
In Chinese and Japanese culture, long noodles represent a long life, but only if you eat them without cutting or breaking them. Slurping is encouraged! Longevity noodles are a popular New Year’s Eve dish because they’re tied to good health, happiness and a long life.
Lucky New Year’s foods aren’t the only way people around the world welcome good fortune. Here are a few fun non-food customs:
Your neighborhood Food Town has everything you need to make New Year’s lucky foods for less! Shop our Produce department and grocery shelves for great prices on fresh fruits, green vegetables, loads of legumes and grains galore! And don’t forget to swing by our Meat department for quality meats cut in-store and plentiful pork selections. Happy New Year, neighbor! We look forward to seeing you soon!
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