On a cold and blustery New Year’s Eve in Bergamo, in northern Italy, I found myself at a table surrounded by a whirlwind of new friends: a dashing author and celebrity columnist, his glowing wife preparing for their first child, one of the earliest gaming streamers in the country and my lovely dinner companion, who had invited me to fly out to join this special celebration. The meal was nothing short of spectacular—rows of perfectly cooked lentils ( lenticchie ), hearty cotechino sausage, and pasta crowned with shavings of white truffle.

As we ate, my friends explained that lenticchie and cotechino are part of Italy’s traditional New Year’s feast, symbolizing wealth and abundance. The tiny lentils resemble coins, while the rich sausage signals prosperity for the year ahead. Sharing this meal in a country I had visited so many times but never celebrated the new year made me feel connected to something far greater: generations of ritual, hope, and celebration.

The next morning, parts of this meal reappeared at our New Year’s Day table, joined by fruits, cheeses, and leftover panettone. It reminded me how food traditions carry the weight of history and the promise of better days ahead. In other years, I’ve welcomed the new year with a bowl of Hoppin’ John or scrambled to eat my 12 grapes at midnight. No matter where I’ve been, the act of starting the year with symbolic foods feels universal—a ritual shared across cultures, one that ties us to the past and sets our hopes for the future.

Around the world, New Year’s Day traditions often center on symbolic foods. Here are five dishes that promise good luck, prosperity, and a fresh start to the year ahead.

Black-Eyed Peas

Where it comes from: In the American South, New Year’s Day wouldn’t feel right without black-eyed peas, often served with rice in Hoppin’ John . The tradition traces back to West Africa, where black-eyed peas were cultivated and later brought to the U.S. through the transatlantic slave trade. After the Civil War, the dish became a symbol of resilience and prosperity.

Why it matters: Black-eyed peas symbolize new beginnings. There’s even a superstition that eating them ensures good luck for every day of the year ahead. Pair them with collard greens (representing money) and cornbread (for gold), and you’ve got a full plate of hope.

12 Grapes

Where it comes from: Eating 12 grapes at midnight is a ritual that began in Spain in the late 19th century. The practice, tied to a particularly bountiful grape harvest, soon became a New Year’s Eve tradition that spread across Latin America. Each grape represents one month of the year, and the hope is that they bring sweetness and prosperity.

Why it matters: Even if you missed the countdown, eating leftover grapes on New Year’s Day can still set the tone for a sweet start. The practice ties celebration to a deeply rooted superstition: sweet grapes predict good fortune, while sour ones warn of challenges.

Pork

Where it comes from: In Germany and Austria, roast pork and sausages symbolize progress and prosperity. Pigs root forward when foraging, making them a fitting emblem for a forward-looking year. Pork dishes are also featured heavily in Chinese celebrations, including dumplings stuffed with pork to symbolize family unity. In the U.S., the Pennsylvania Dutch also have a tradition of eating pork as part of their New Year’s rituals.

Why it matters: Pork is rich and celebratory, making it an ideal choice for New Year’s Day. It’s a dish that reflects abundance and optimism, ensuring that the year ahead starts off on the right foot.

Lentils

Where it comes from: In Italy, lenticchie with cotechino is a staple of New Year’s Day. Their round shape, reminiscent of coins, has made lentils a symbol of wealth and good fortune. Brazil shares this tradition, with lentils often featured in celebratory dishes.

Why it matters: Lentils are humble but powerful. Eating them on New Year’s Day carries the hope that small efforts will grow into something bigger—financial abundance, personal growth, or simply a fulfilling year ahead.

Long Noodles

Where it comes from: In Chinese and Japanese New Year traditions, long noodles symbolize longevity. In Japan, toshikoshi soba (year-crossing noodles) are eaten on New Year’s Eve to leave behind hardships, while in China, longevity noodles remain unbroken to ensure a long, healthy life.

Why it matters: Long noodles reflect the connection between care and good fortune. Whether served in a warm broth or a stir-fry, they’re a reminder that patience and precision can lead to lasting rewards.

Why We Start The Year With Symbolic Foods

New Year’s isn’t just about eating well; it’s about starting with purpose. Across cultures, food rituals carry powerful symbolism, from wealth and progress to health and happiness. Psychologists say these traditions help us feel more in control of an uncertain future.

As the Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Food Studies explains, the act of eating during celebrations is often more than sustenance—it’s a way of creating shared meaning and signaling transitions in the calendar and in life.

By eating foods that represent luck or prosperity, we create a sense of optimism. In some cultures, things not to do on New Year’s Day—like cleaning or eating “unlucky” foods—reinforce the idea that our actions, even small ones, shape the year ahead.

These traditions also connect us to family and community. Whether it’s the comforting warmth of lentils or the ritualistic precision of long noodles, these dishes carry generations of meaning. They remind us of where we’ve been and where we want to go.

From the sweet promise of 12 grapes to the hearty richness of black-eyed peas, the New Year’s superstitions and the foods we eat on New Year’s Day reflect the universal desire for a better year ahead. They’re more than meals—they’re tokens of hope. So, what lucky foods will be on your plate today?

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By Stephanie Gravalese, Contributor