Certain foods, like noodles, cabbage, and lentils, symbolize good fortune in the new year. After downing plenty of bubbly and sweet treats on New Year’s Eve, start 2021 off right with these New Year’s good-luck foods that all promise wealth, prosperity, and good fortune in the coming year. Take a note from different cultural traditions from a range of countries around the world as you make these delicious recipes, everything from green side dishes to crowd-pleasing pork dinners.
Greens
The color green symbolizes luck — think about four-leaf clovers, dollar bills, and jade jewelry. As if that’s not enough, eating a plate full of greens (kale, green beans, and Brussels sprouts) will start your year off on a healthy note.
In many Asian countries, people eat long noodles on New Year’s Day to lengthen their life. One catch: You can’t break the noodle from your plate to your mouth.
Cabbage
In Germany, Ireland, and parts of the United States, cabbage is associated with luck and fortune since its green hue resembles money. Purple cabbage, however, is just for show … but just as versatile.
Pork
Pork, once reserved for the elite, symbolizes wealth and prosperity. Aim high this year by filling up with a hearty pork dinner on January 1st.
Fish
In some countries, people associate fish with the new year since they swim in one direction — forward. Others, however, think fish symbolize abundance since they swim in schools. You can’t go wrong with either.
Lentils
Thought to resemble coins, lentils are eaten throughout Italy on New Year’s Day to bring good fortune in the year ahead.
Pomegranate
Long associated with abundance and fertility, pomegranates are eaten in Turkey and other Mediterranean countries as a sign of good luck. It doesn’t hurt that this jewel-toned fruit is in its prime come January.
Black-Eyed Peas
Considered a common good-luck food in the South, black-eyed peas are thought to bring prosperity, especially when served on a bed of collard greens.
