15 Foods You Should Eat for Good Luck in the New Year

seem to these near luck foods when the clock strike midnight for secure fortune in the twelvemonth to come . Plus , essay our best-loved recipes for enjoying these prosperous raciness .

The vacation season is full of long - standing traditions , but our favourite always tend to center around eating . No matter where you ’re from , many people think what you do on January 1 can set up the tone for the entire year to come . While we ca n’t confirm that clean afour - leaf cloveror hanging a wanderer ornament on our tree diagram brings proficient luck , we can all tally that clinking spectacles to the New Year on a full abdomen is a favorable path to start the next 365 in itself .

People from around the universe will eat traditional foods as the clock come to midnight in hopes of work a little more fortune and unspoilt fortune into their lives . As you reflect on the past year and make those resolutions , try these edible traditions from around the world to reverberate in your luckiest ( and tastiest ) twelvemonth yet .

Black-Eyed Pea Succotash

Credit: Carson Downing

1. Down Donuts for the New Year

pack - form food are said to be symbolic of the year coming full circle . For your New Year ’s breakfast , consider a tastyBundt cakeor another one of our favorites , the classicdonut . Trying to deplete a bit healthier already ? Celebrate all you ’ve fulfil with less guilt by make abaked versioninstead of electrocute them in oil .

2. Make Black-Eyed Peas for Southern Superstition

If you ’re cooking a New Year ’s dinner in the South , chances are you ’re servingblack - eyed pea . These little legumes also pack in important nutrient , like fibre and vitamin A , so you canstick to your healthy resolutions , too .

3. Twirl Soba Noodles for Longevity

The recollective the attic , the longer the life . At least , that ’s what this ancient superstitious notion says . Traditionally slurp up for Lunar New Year , soba noggin are superfluous - retentive and stand for longevity . Just be careful to not break or chew the noodles on their way from bowl to mouth !

4. Look to Pork for Prosperity

If it ’s riches and successfulness you seek , pork barrel should be your main track this New Year . New Year ’s Eve should be celebrate with great food , so consider dish up out some pork barrel carnitas seasoned with spice like cumin , paprika , cinnamon , and oregano . Nothing says " Happy New Year ! " like tacos , proper ?

5. Smash Pomegranates for Good Fortune

Pomegranates are considered proficient luck to the citizenry of Greece , but they ’re not used in the elbow room you ’d expect . rather of eating this sweet-scented cherry yield , Hellenic familiescrush a pomegranateon the doorstep of their nursing home at the starting line of the New Year . Of course , that does n’t entail you ca n’t add extra fruit to your effervescent crapulence when you toast at midnight or turn it into a delicious treat — like pomegranate tree pavlova with pistachios and dear — for your guests .

6. Break a Wishbone for Luck

Fighting over the wishbone is almost as much of a tradition as thebreaking of the wishboneitself . In fact , Ancient Romans see chickens as predictors of the succeeding and full luck omens . Legend state that , if the wishing bone breaks equally between the citizenry pulling it , they both get their wish . If the bone does n’t break right down the middle , the person with the long ending will have his or her wish granted . We ’re ready to roast up a whole bird and make our wish descend true .

7. Eat Lentils for Prosperity and Success

As lentils are soaked in urine , they expand in an routine that many consider symbolizes successfulness . Wintertime is great for a hearty bowl of soup , so wrick your sights towards a prosperous year with a swelled pot of our pet lentil soup .

8. Cook Whole Fish for Wholesome Months Ahead

Legend has it that wipe out a whole Pisces the Fishes — literally the forefront , tail , and all — brings forth a salutary year . Once prepped , this grilled stuffed trout recipe will have your dinner on the mesa within 10 minute . Not feeling ambitious enough to tackle a whole Pisces the Fishes ? Nod to the tradition with a crispyoven - bake fishinstead .

9. Crack Fortune Cookies for Well Wishes

plain off the New Year with messages of circumstances , hope , and successfulness for your friends and family . Head to your local Asian foodstuff store and break up up a readiness of pre - made fortune cookies before the evening start .

10. Saute Sauerkraut for Longevity, Luck, and Money

For the Pennsylvania Dutch , shreds of cabbage act a retentive liveliness , making sauerkraut a must - have on the New Year ’s dinner mesa . Be sure to cook up a hefty part — the Pennsylvania Dutchalsowish for as much luck and money as the number of shekels Strand on the tabular array .

11. Cook up Herring for a Bountiful Year

see to Europe for your newest New Year ’s custom . In countries like Norway , Germany , Poland , Finland , and Sweden , Clupea harangus is bountiful thanks to its law of proximity to the Baltic Sea . So on New Year ’s , right at midnight , herring is help to further bounteousness and successfulness in the upcoming class . The Pisces ’s silver scales are also said to resemble coins , which is a good signal of future fortune .

12. Snack on a Grape for Each Month

New Year ’s celebrations in Spain kvetch off with a handful of grapes ; 12 , to be precise . Tradition states that , at the stroke of midnight , you should consume 12 sweet grapes ( one for each calendar month of the upcoming year ) . you may keep the symbolism alive with a celebratory dessert , like our roasted berry and grapeshot tart , too .

13. Cook Collard Greens for Prosperity

Because of their immature color , collard greens are read to exemplify paper money . Eat your fair share of leafy vegetable along with black - eyed peas andcorn boodle , which are meant to represent coin money and gold . machinate the super C with pancetta to bring extra flavor and texture .

14. Bake Soft Pretzels for Good Luck

In Germany , it is a custom to snack on a soft pretzel on New Year ’s Eve to further good luck in the coming class . Try the serious luck food for your New Year ’s political party by baking a batch of soft pretzels for everyone to enjoy . serve up the salty bite with cheese sauce or love homely .

15. Make Tamales for Family Prosperity

Tamales are a veritable repast during the vacation season in Mexico . Because family line fellow member will spend all day preparing the stuffed corn husks together , tamales represent kinsperson and successfulness . Gather your loved single to make this authenticMexican dish . take to fill with centre , cheese , fruit , or all of the above !

Salmon and Cabbage Noodle Bowls