Pork and Sauerkraut Tops in Choice for New Year's Feast

For many, planning the first meal of the New Year is an easy choice. The Spaniards celebrate the first meal (first snack actually) by consuming twelve grapes at midnight - representing the twelve months to come in the New Year. They have a superstition that if the 3^rd grape is sweet to the palate - you can anticipate a lovely March!

Pork and sauerkraut is an universal "good luck" meal not only in Pennsylvania but around the world. The "fat" pig symbolizes wealth, prosperity and good luck.

Perhaps you are like my family - traditional fish dinners to celebrate the birth of a New Year! And, in Germany, placing fish scales in the wallet or purse symbolizes the coming of great financial wealth in the New Year.

Ring shaped foods such as doughnuts and bagels are suppose to represent the cyclical nature of life. Bringing us the realization that time never stops and continues to cycle around us. Mexicans may enjoy the rosca de reyes or a ring-shaped cake adorned with candied fruit - cavities in the New Year?

Our Brazilian neighbors feast upon lentils, beans and peas that resemble coins and are thought to bring financial prosperity. We do a similar thing in the southern U.S. states where a ton of black-eyed peas are consumed. This tradition dates back to the Civil War when food was scarce and the peas supplied a healthy offering.

Then, there is the Japanese tradition of greeting the New Year by feasting on noodles. Yup, those tasty buckwheat variety - I suppose that is why very few Japanese are overweight and enjoy long life.

Whatever you decide to feast upon this New Year's Day, may your cupboards have plenty, your bellies never empty and food enough to share with your neighbors.

Proverbs 22:9, "A generous man will himself be blessed for he shares his food with the poor."

Happy feasting on this first day of the New Year!