We love to travel, right? And when we do travel, many of us enjoy foods from different countries. Even if you’re not superstitious, why not finish off 2017 with these LUCKY foods from around the world! All of them are said to represent various forms of success in the year to come. I’m curious how many of them you know about. I actually didn’t know much about these 7 foods bringing good luck. But now I’m thinking I’ll change up my New Year’s Eve menu. Who can’t use more luck?
1. In American South, greens are said to represent money and financial success.
2. In Italy, China, and Brazil, the shape of beans, especially lentils, is also said to symbolize coins.
3. In many Asian cultures, shiny fish scales represent coins, too, because they resemble them.
Shiny fish scales. Image source: http://www.messianic-torah-truth-seeker.org/Torah/Kashrut/Tahor-clean-Scaled-fish.htm
4. Ring-shaped cakes represent coming full-circle in Mexico, Poland, Hungary, and the Netherlands. Good to start the new year with a clean slate.
5. Ancient Greeks believed figs were a symbol of fertility.
6. In Greece, the seeds of pomegranates represent abundance and prosperity.
7. In Japan, long noodles represent long life.
What’s on your menu this New Year’s Eve? Leave a comment and let us know!
In Argentina, you eat gnocchis (ñoquis) on the 29th of each month to receive more money. Some people add to the tradition by putting money under their plate.
My language teacher said the only way that will bring you more money is if you take the money and put it in savings.
Great comment, Tim. Thanks for the laugh, and happy new year!
This is not really a dish, but rather the tradition that rings in the New Year in Spain — the 12 lucky grapes. I’m currently in Madrid visiting family and look forward to doing at the stroke of midnight! Will follow the show that is broadcast from La Puerta del Sol. You can read more about this uniquely Spanish New Year’s tradition here: http://www.foodrepublic.com/2012/12/28/12-grapes-at-midnight-spains-great-new-years-eve-tradition-and-superstition/
and here:
https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/12/26/168092673/green-grapes-and-red-underwear-a-spanish-new-years-eve
This is a great idea! I’m going to add 12 grapes at midnight to my festivities tonight. Thanks so much for adding this to the list. Boas Festas!
I’m a little late but in addition to the shiny fish scales, the chinese word for fish is a homonym for prosperity which is why steamed whole fish is very popular during the lunar new year’s eve dinner. You also need to delicately scale the fish once you’re half way through because flipping the fish over symbolizes capsizing your luck/prosperity.
Long noodles = life is also a thing in China :)
Whole fish is one of my favorites! And so far I’ve never capsized a fish, so I think I’m OK: :) Thanks for chipping in on the post. Happy New Year!