New Delhi: There is a universal belief that doing or eating something special at eve midnight welcomes the new year with good fortune and plenty in many cultures. Many have the belief that partaking in certain dishes on New Year’s Day would bestow favourable fortune and energy onto the next year. As you plan your goals for the next year, consider including some of these culturally specific New Year’s culinary customs.
1. Black-eyed Beans
Hoppin’ John is a staple New Year’s meal in the American South. It consists of rice, pork, black-eyed beans, and additional cooked greens like collards or cornbread. They say this food will bring you prosperity in the new year.
2. Tamales
Making tamales is a family custom in Mexico. This dish is made from masa that is wrapped and streamed in corn husks or banana leaves. It is often made between Christmas and New Year’s.
3. Oliebollen
Dutch New Year’s Eve and celebration festivals aren’t complete without the fried doughnut balls or oliebollen. A scoop of dough laced with raisins or currants is dropped into a deep fryer and then sprinkled with powdered sugar to make these doughnut-like dumplings.
4. Onions
A bag of onions is hung on the entrance as a sign of growth and regeneration in Greek custom. As a result, to welcome in the new year, people often enjoy onion soup, sour cream and onion dip, or any other meal that has crisp and tasty onions.
5. Soba Noodles
The longer noodles can give a longer lifespan. This was the long-held belief in superstitions held by many Asian nations, especially in Japan and China. Soba noodles, which are traditionally eaten around the New Year, are extra-long, representing longevity. Slurping long noodles instead of biting them in half is practised because of the belief that it brings a long life.
6. Grapes
As the clock strikes twelve on New Year’s Eve, the Spanish traditionally eat twelve grapes as a symbol of good fortune. As a lucky charm, it stands for each of the twelve months in Mexico and Spain.
7. Pork
People who believe in good fortune often eat pork instead of chicken on New Year’s Day. Pork and cabbage, with their long hair, are German staples believed to extend life expectancy.
