My family combines New Year’s traditions from different backgrounds. My dad, hailing from the South, insists on having black-eyed peas on the table, while my mom, originally from a heavily Eastern European part of Ohio, never skips cooking pork and sauerkraut on January 1st. It’s a unique blend that we find delicious and lucky. We are all in good health and enjoy fantastic meals, and I wish the same for you. To welcome the new year with good fortune and good food, here are some recipes you can try. Happy New Year!
1. Hoppin’ John: A Southern classic dish of black-eyed peas and rice, often with pork for luck.
2. Cowboy Caviar: A bean relish/salsa that includes black-eyed peas.
3. Southern Style Collard Greens: Greens symbolizing money, traditionally cooked with a ham hock for richness.
4. Instant Pot Collard Greens: A quick and easy way to prepare tender collard greens in an Instant Pot.
5. Southern Cornbread: A classic side dish that complements black-eyed peas and collard greens.
6. Pork Roast With Apples: A traditional pork roast often served on New Year’s Day for good luck.
7. Sauerkraut: A fermented cabbage dish believed to bring luck when eaten on New Year’s Day.
8. Spareribs, Cabbage, and Sauerkraut: A hearty dish combining pork, cabbage, and sauerkraut for a flavorful meal.
“Of Beauty and Flavor: New Year’s Recipes for Luck and Prosperity
When it comes to culinary delights, sometimes the most delicious foods aren’t always the most visually appealing. Lentil stew may not be a feast for the eyes, but its rich flavors make it a favorite among many. Here are some recipes that bring together tradition, flavor, and a touch of luck for the New Year.
1. Lentil Stew With Sausage
Round little lentils, resembling coins, are considered symbols of fortune in various cuisines. In Italy, cooking lentils with sliced sausages mirrors the coin theme, creating a hearty and flavorful stew where the two ingredients complement each other perfectly.
2. Smoky Lentil Stew
For a plant-based New Year’s dish, try this smoky lentil stew that omits the sausage but doesn’t skimp on flavor, thanks to the addition of smoked paprika.
3. Ham and Bean Soup
In some regions, like the Midwest, enjoying ham and beans on New Year’s Day is a cherished tradition believed to bring luck and prosperity. The combination of rich pork (ham) and beans symbolizes abundance and good fortune, making this soup a fitting choice to start the year.
4. Vasilopita – Whole Clementine Cake
A delightful Greek tradition involves baking an orange-scented cake with a hidden coin, bringing luck to the person who finds it in their slice. While there is no definitive vasilopita recipe, this moist clementine cake is a perfect candidate to host the lucky coin for a sweet start to the year.
5. Golden Beet and Pomegranate Salad
Drawing on Greek customs, breaking a pomegranate at midnight symbolizes prosperity. This colorful salad, featuring golden beets and pomegranate seeds, captures the spirit of the tradition and would add a vibrant touch to any New Year’s table.
6. Homemade Donuts – How To Make Donuts
Round or ring-shaped treats like donuts symbolize completeness and good fortune for the year ahead. Embracing this concept, making and enjoying homemade donuts on New Year’s could bring a sweet start to the year.
7. Steamed Whole Fish
In various cultures, the silvery scales of a whole fish are associated with good luck and abundance. Whether it’s pickled herring in Scandinavia or whole fish at Lunar New Year celebrations, incorporating fish into your New Year’s menu is believed to bring prosperity and good fortune.
As you prepare to welcome the New Year, consider incorporating these flavorful and symbolic dishes into your celebrations. Whether you believe in the power of food to bring luck or simply enjoy exploring new culinary traditions, these recipes offer a delicious way to start the year on a positive note. Happy cooking and a prosperous New Year!”
