It’s all about what you eat!
Pork. Pigs are considered a lucky New Year’s food because they root in the ground while moving forward. They’re fat, a worldwide symbol of prosperity. I don’t know about all pigs, but the pig kept as a pet by one of my neighbors also has the kind of face that always looks as if it’s smiling. You can’t go wrong with combining pork, beans and greens in a dish called Hoppin’ John for New Year’s Eve. Recipe here.
By the way, using the same logic, lobsters and chickens are supposed to be unlucky foods at New Year’s. Lobsters crawl backwards. Chickens, when they scratch, also move backwards.
Fruit, especially grapes. In Spain, Portugal and many Latin American countries, New Year’s revelers eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve — one grape for each stroke of the clock. Epicurious.com says this tradition dates back to 1909, when Spanish grape farmers had a grape surplus. Each grape is said to represent a different month. If one grape is sour, that month might not be so fortunate. By the way, grapes aren’t the only lucky New Year’s fruit. A pomegranate’s many seeds are said to symbolize prosperity. Figs are said to be a symbol of fertility.
Now I can tell you I will be hand delivering packages of figs to my daughter and son-in-law for the New Year!
Best wishes for Happy Healthy New Year!
XO
I have my pork and sauerkraut for tomorrow. I had never heard of the deal with the grapes but sure thought it would be worth a try. Until I saw the grapes! Publix should be ashamed of themselves for having such nasty looking grapes on the shelf. There is no way in hell that I’m taking a chance of eating 12 sour grapes at midnight and screwing up my year!
By the way, another German friend of mine would place a dollar bill under the front door mat before midnight. At midnight, you go out the back door and head to the front door. You pick up your money and then enter through the front door. You’ll have prosperity throughout the year. Wonder how it would work with a twenty?
Julie, I wish you, Tiffany and Brian the very best with those figs.
Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year to all!
Oh Carole you taking Publix to task and not wanting to risk 12 sour grapes to screw up your New Year cracks me up. Just have some fermented ones instead.
Excellent idea, Scarlett. Much better than the risk of 12 sour grapes!
Happy New Year Julie. I hope you get to be a grandma soon. 🙂 will there be a post asking for name suggestions?
Of course, but I wouldn’t hold your breath…
That’s what I am doing!