As the new year approaches everyone is wishing to have a happy and prosperous year. Interestingly, some food traditions are believed to be a lucky way to start the next. People in diverse cultures try different types of good luck foods to bring fortune in the coming year. Let’s take a look at 10 top New Year’s foods to bring you and your family good luck in 2023.
10 Best New Year’s Day Foods to Bring Prosperity in 2023
Black-Eyed Peas
The origin of this food is Europe. If you are celebrating New Year’s dinner in the South, you can serve the dish of black-eyed peas that are prepared with meat, celery, and onion. It is a traditional dish that has been consumed for luck for more than 1,500 years. They are special as they got their start as part of the Jewish New Year. Most importantly, they are packed with important nutrients including fiber and vitamin A.
Pomegranates
Probably the main origin of Pomegranates is Persia. The people of Greece think that pomegranates have brought good luck to them but they use it differently. Instead of eating, Greek families crush a pomegranate on the threshold of their home at the start of the New Year thinking to bring good luck to them. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t add extra fruit to your sparkling drink when you toast at midnight or turn it into a delicious drink.
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Lentils
Lentils are originated in Europe and eaten all over the world for the new year because these tiny and yellow colored legumes suggest gold coins and they are considered to bring prosperity in the coming year. The people of most of the continents of the world eat lentils and it is considered to help you pad out your bank account in the progressing months.
Whole Fish
Chinese believes that serving fish whole with both head and tail brings prosperity, abundance, and a good year to come from start to finish. Legend also says that eating a whole fish—generally with the head, tail, and all—brings good fortune for the new year. Fish is packed with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins like D and B2 (riboflavin) and is rich in calcium and phosphorus. It is also a great source of minerals, including iron, zinc, iodine, magnesium, and potassium.
Cookies
Cookies are the right kind of food to Kick off the New Year with messages of luck, hope, and prosperity for your friends and family. You can slide each personalized message into your handmade cookie. If your loved ones have a good sense of humor, you can consider preparing cookies and drawing something laughing on each cookie. If you’re really busy all time, you can use your pre-made fortune cookies.
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Grapes/Raisins
According to Spain culture 12 grapes or raisins are eaten just before midnight, one for each month of the year will bring good fortune for all 12 months of the year. It is also the tradition of Mexico also. They believe that the luck you’ll possess each month is dependent on the deliciousness of the grapes.
Buttered Bread/Cornbread
The people of Ireland love to celebrate their New Year’s Day with Buttered Bread. Traditionally, it is believed that buttered bread placed outside the front door epitomizes an absence of hunger in the household and presumably for the year to come. Cornbread is also considered lucky because of its golden brown color. People of the USA believe that cornbread can bring gold and wealth in the upcoming year.
Green Veggies
Leafy greens vegetables have deep emerald colors and so hearty greens like kale, spinach, and collards are considered to bring wealth and health to you if you enjoy them early and often in the New Year. It is also believed that a garnish of parsley can fend off evil spirits. You need to embrace this New Year’s food tradition if you wish to have health and wealth for the coming year.
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Cake
You can joyously consume cake for any occasion, so this whole luck thing just feels like a bonus. Round cakes are said to be lucky because of their shape. As they look like coins, they are thought to bring forth wealth in the new year. In Greek culture, friends and family gather around and enjoy a round cake that often has a coin baked inside. If you receive the slice with the coin in it, you will get extra luck for the new year and usually a gift or prize.
Oranges
Oranges are usually passed out during Lunar New Year to call forth prosperity. It is natural that these citrus fruits have made their way to our Gregorian calendar celebrations as well. The bright color of oranges evokes joy and happiness. The Chinese called the mandarin orange, Kam. You can take the mandarin orange an extra lucky piece of fruit for you and your family.
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Bottom line
So far, we have mentioned 10 New Year’s Day foods to bring good luck and prosperity. However, there is no scientific evidence that foods can bring good luck. Still, people of different cultures across the world follow News Year’s day food traditions to get a prosperous new year. Why don’t you try these foods and try your luck?
Source: United News of Bangladesh