One could choose a dish to bring good luck. That's one of the New Year's Traditions: in Germany and Eastern Europe it is some form of cabbage - such as sauerkraut - supposedly the strands of cabbage in sauerkraut symbolize long life, and can represent money. No one in my German family ever mentioned these reasons to eat sauerkraut.
If one is in the American South, it is eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day. Supposedly during the Civil War when Union soldiers raided the Confederate army's food supply, they left behind only these beans. How is that part of New Year's? Another story is that a when newly-freed enslaved people celebrated the January 1863 Emancipation Proclamation this was one of the few foods available to them. And then other theories say it is Ancient Egypt was a way to show humility to the gods.
Supposedly, though, one serves black-eyed peas and collard greens. Collard greens symbolize money and prosperity - being green. Black-eyed peas are round so represent coins. And add cornbread to that. Why? Because it is the colour of gold. Rich dinner all around.
That's why lentils are part of the Italian household tradition - the round legumes look like coins. And in China, Japan and other Asian countries - noodles are the thing to serve - their length symbolizes longevity. Oranges are served in various countries- because they are gold. Dumplings are served because they resemble money bags. Scandinavian countries consider silver-scaled fish to resemble money - hence herring is considered good fortune.
Bring in a New Year by eating your way to prosperity.
Yesterday's Globe cartoons had a cartoon about a dog's New Year's resolution. This perfectly describes our Millie, so here it is.
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