North Carolina, USA - On New Year's Day in the South, it's all about what's for dinner. Cabbage greens, black-eyed peas, ham and cornbread are staples of the traditional first-day meal. They are said to bring good health, wealth and luck.
It's not entirely clear when or why these foods became a New Year's Day staple, but according to Southern food researcher John Egerton, Southern Food: At home, on the road, in history, black-eyed peas are associated with a "mystical and mythical power to bring good luck ". Legumes originated from West Africa and are often included in meals for special occasions. Many believe that the swelling of the cooked bean symbolizes the increase of good fortunes.
Here are New Year's Day classics and what they're said to represent:
Greens: Whether they're cabbage, turnip, or mustard greens, the greens on your plate represent wealth. Try this delicious and savory collard greens recipe from Our State Magazine.
Black-eyed Peas: Represent coins, luck, or the promise of prosperity. Here's a recipe with both peas and cabbage from Our State Magazine.
Cornbread: Not only is it delicious, but it's also supposed to represent gold. Eating it brings with it the hope of spending extra money in the new year. Try this traditional cornbread recipe.
Pork: Pork is said to bring prosperity and progress, because pigs go forward as they eat, as opposed to backward like chicken or turkey. Try the delicious fried pork chops with onion broth recipe.
What do we eat on New Year's Day
According to folklore, if these foods are eaten on New Year's Day, they guarantee good luck throughout the year.
Peas or beans are said to symbolize coins or wealth. Choose peas, lentils, or traditional black-eyed beans to make a spiced dish with pork, ham, or sausage.
Greens are like money, especially folding money. Make dishes using boiled cabbage, sauerkraut, collards, collards, chard, mustard greens, turnip greens, or other leafy greens to ensure good luck for the coming year.
Pork is considered a sign of prosperity in some cultures because pigs are far ahead. Many Southern New Year's Day dishes contain pork or ham, but feel free to offer roast pork or baked pork as an appetizer.
Cornbread may symbolize gold, plus it is necessary with peas and greens.
In other cultures, fish, grapes, cakes or cakes in the form of a ring or cakes with special gifts inside symbolize luck.
