Good luck foods for NYE

RING IN 2022 WITH TASTY BITES THAT NOT ONLY TICK THE ‘YUM’ BOX BUT ALSO INVITE POSITIVITY FOR THE YEAR AHEAD

There are just a few days left of 2021, and after the year we’ve had, everyone needs something to look forward to. But is that how it works? Do we simply write a list and wish for positivity?

According to many traditional cultures, there is a little more needed than merely wishing. Ancient folklore and customs tell us that you need to align wishes with action.

One way to do this is by eating symbolic foods as the clock strikes midnight on December 31 to invite good luck into your life for the coming year.

For example, eating peas or beans are said to symbolise wealth, and eating greens such as kale or cabbage signifies money.

In China and Japan, long noodles signify longevity, so it’s customary to eat them on New Year’s Day. These noodles must be prepared carefully to ensure they are not broken or shortened while cooking.

Locals in Spain kick off the custom of the 12 lucky grapes. So, it’s the perfect time for us in the Antipodes to grab a bunch of grapes and partake in this tradition.

The goal here is to eat all 12 before the final stroke of midnight on December 31 to ensure “fortuna” appears in the coming year. One grape is consumed with each strike of the clock bell.

New Year’s Eve in Italy means bowls of lentils, which are thought to bring luck and prosperity because of their visual similarity to Roman coins. Lentils are served alongside rich and fatty pork sausages, which also symbolise future prosperity.

Spoons full of sauerkraut are the custom of choice for NYE revellers in Germany. A condiment to us, sauerkraut actually functions as a symbol of blessings and happiness directly linked to the number of cabbage leaves eaten as the clock strikes midnight.

If you’re not that hungry and prefer to toast in the new year with alcohol, you can’t go past the Scottish tradition of cheers-ing loved ones with Scottish whisky. During Hogmanay (the Scottish word for New Year’s Eve celebrations), the first visitor to your house must bring “good luck” gifts to ensure a merry year ahead.

As we say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one, we have a chance to begin anew, turn our eyes to something hopeful, and wish the same for our loved ones.

With such potent energy and a few auspicious dishes, 2022 will indeed be brimming with good fortune for everyone.