12/28/2025
Y'all know kitchen witchery is where I thrive, so let's talk about lucky New Year's food from around the world. π
The majority of Americans eat black-eyed peas for good luck on New Year's Day, especially in the Southern states. My Louisiana grandmother made them every single year. There are multiple legends about why we eat black-eyed peas for New Year's, but I'd like to focus on the legend I believe to be the most likely cause. Black-Eyed Peas originated in West Africa and were brought over to America along with the enslaved Africans, which we know to be a fact. It is said that this dish came along with their emancipation after the Civil War, and was eaten as a celebratory dish on New Year's Day thereafter. It remained a lucky dish in Black-American culture. Southern Cuisine was heavily created by those who were enslaved and influenced by their home countries. They are the reason why we have the Southern foods that we do today, black-eyed peas are one of those dishes. If this is a dish you partake in, be sure to honor its history.
Greens are also commonly served, but this is something I've noticed in multiple cultures. Collared greens and cabbage are the most often used, but some folk use Swiss chard, kale, or spinach. The greens represent good fortune in your New Year. I imagine you could even use lettuce or arugula. Either way, you gotta have them greens if you want a year of good money!
Pork is also considered good luck, in multiple cultures. This is why you often see black-eyed peas and greens being cooked with ham or bacon. Besides the flavor factor, it adds an extra boost of luck.
In Czechia, they eat lentils for good luck in the New Year. They eat a soup every New Year's Day called ΔoΔkovΓ‘ PolΓ©vka, it usually has some kind of pig in it as well, like sausage or bacon. But lentils are considered one of the luckiest foods throughout the Czech Republic, so much so that they even throw them at newlyweds for good luck in their marriage. Lentils have a special place in my heart and home. They tend to use brown lentils in this soup, but green and red are such lucky colors throughout the world, I recommend them all!
Saurerkraut is also commonly served throughout European countries, which contributes even more so to that lucky cabbage factor!
In Greece, they smash a pomegranate on the threshold of their home at the stroke of midnight for good luck throughout the new year. Some people simply sprinkle a few seeds. Pomegranates are such a sacred fruit all throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean, it is considered lucky all year long. In Armenia, there is a legend that the gemstone Garnet and Pomegranates are one and the same. It is considered a blessing to be able to eat one. Go get a fresh one while they're still in season!!
Cornbread is this beautiful blend of American Indigenous cuisine and African cuisine. It is a symbol of good luck and is often served with black-eyed peas and greens.
Throughout many Asian cultures, honey is often consumed for prosperity in the New Year. Honey is also sacred among multiple cultures and is considered good luck all year long.
Which I think makes honey cornbread even more lucky!
In Ireland, at the stroke of midnight, they beat loaves of bread against their doorframes to ward off evil and welcome in good luck for the New Year. They then spend the day eating bread and butter for extra luck.
Throughout various parts of Asia, oranges are considered good luck all year long. They are heavily consumed for New Year celebrations and to bring about luck in love. In India, it is believed that if you gift an orange to someone, they will fall in love with you.
In multiple cultures, especially in Germany, round-shaped desserts are considered good luck. Especially donuts! There is a German tradition for New Year's Eve celebrations of serving donuts filled with jam or cream, however, 1 or 2 donuts will be filled with mustard and whoever ends up with the mustard-filled donuts their year is predicted to be filled with bad luck. Beware of future NYE parties I host, friends. π
My mom makes delicious homemade donuts and this year we filled them with plum jam as an ode to our German roots.
In Spain, they consume 12 grapes in honor of the New Year to bring in prosperity and abundance. There was mixed information as to whether this is done on NYE or New Year's Day. And while I cannot confirm, I have a feeling that they're green grapes!
Lastly, cinnamon. β¨ Cinnamon is considered one of the luckiest spices in the world. Many blow it through their doorways at the start of every new month for good luck, or on Thursdays when Jupiter energy is heavy. I add it to every single one of my recipes and drink it with my morning coffee. This belief goes back to ancient civilizations and sticks with us today in our modern world.
Do you know of anything that I missed?
My family goes back and forth between the Southern black-eyed peas and the Czech lentil soup. This year we're trying something new and creating a soup that honors all of our heritages, and traditions, and includes various lucky foods in it.
What do YOU eat for the New Year? π€
