Who wants to start a new year off on the wrong foot? Even if you’re not superstitious, I think there’s no harm in having a little fun with traditions that have been followed around the world for centuries. Who couldn’t use a little more health, happiness, and prosperity? In the South, black-eyed peas, greens, and cornbread represent pennies, dollars, and gold, so eating them together on New Year’s will keep your purse full all year long. Noodles are another good luck food. The longer the noodle, the longer the life. Pigs are big and they root forward (rather than backward like chickens), and lentils expand a ton when cooked—they both represent abundance and progress in the New Year. For just good fortune, try the Spanish tradition of eating 12 good luck grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve—one for every month of the year. In Ireland, one tradition involves banging bread against a door frame to chase away bad luck, while another invites good luck in by sharing the bread with friends, loved ones, and neighbors. You could also eat round sweets like donuts, cookies, and cakes to bring your luck full circle. Oranges are believed to bring good luck and happiness. The Chinese words for orange and tangerine closely resemble the words for luck and wealth. People from around the world will eat traditional New Year foods as the clock strikes midnight in hopes of bringing a little more luck and good fortune into their lives. Happy New Year!
Black eyed pea salad
Ingredients:
1/4 c. extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
2 (15-oz.) cans of black eyed peas, drained and rinsed
1 red bell pepper, finely diced
1 medium tomato, finely diced
4 scallions, sliced
1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 c. fresh basil, chopped
Directions:
Step 1
In a large bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, salt, and a few grinds of fresh black pepper together. Stir in the red onion.
Step 2
Add the beans, red pepper, tomato, scallions, parsley, and basil.
Step 3
Stir to combine and let sit for at least 30 minutes before serving. The longer it sits the better the taste.
Honey Cinnamon Oranges
Ingredients:
2 oranges
2 Tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Directions:
Peel the oranges and slice into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
Place on a serving platter.
Mix honey and cinnamon in a small bowl.
Drizzle the honey mixture over oranges. Enjoy!
Courtesy photos
