Sauerkraut for blessings, pork for forward progress, the round shaped sausage variety for abundance, black eyes peas for good luck, great northern beans to move upward in the new year, a side of golden corn bread for wealth and a pomegranate treat to bring good health in the new year. What’s your New Years tradition?
2014 is officially here. It’s a brand new year and I hope it’s a great one for each of you! I’ve got our crock pot filled with the traditional sauerkraut, kielbasa, black eyed peas and great northern beans. In my grandparents’ house we always had sauerkraut in the new year. If you’re family stems from other regions then perhaps you’re more familiar with Hoppin’ John or Menudo? Whatever it may be, it’s a tradition most of you are probably familiar with but do you know why? Well in case you were wondering here are some fun facts on New Year food traditions:
Sauerkraut – Is said to bring as many blessings in the new year as the number of shreds of cabbage in the pot.
Beans – Because they resemble coins, aka wealth, they bring good luck. Specifically you have probably heard that black eyed peas are the luckiest. I added some great northern beans to my sauerkraut as well because north is the direction moving upward.
Greens – Resemble paper money and so incorporating them into your dish is said to bring financial insurance.
Pork – Pigs root forward – the direction you want to be moving during the new year and the fat of the pork also represents abundance.
Cornbread – (A great accompaniment to any stew or sauerkraut) is the color of gold and will help increase your bank account.
Pomegranates – All those delicious seeds represent fertility and abundance and the color also represents life (the heart) and good health.
Fish – Fish swim forward, indicating progress like pork (which is also good if you don’t eat pork).
Noodles – Specifically the long variety represent a long, healthy life. But be careful – It’s bad luck to cut or break your noodles!
Chicken / Turkey – Avoid any type of poultry on New Year’s Day. They scratch backwards (which is the wrong way to be going during a fresh new year).
We had a Dutch classic on Monday with the ladies – Oliebollen with raisins- which is said to bring good luck and signify everything coming full circle. The round shape also represents unity and continuity.
Do you have a special tradition in your family? Well, whether you follow any of these or other traditions and whatever you’re eating today I hope it represents the beginning of a very delicious year for you. Happy New Year!
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