The end of the year is officially upon us. I am absolutely positive that I am not alone in thinking that we could use our collective societal luck to change in 2022. As the wheel of the year turns to begin another cycle, let’s take a look at some of the food superstitions associated with the new year. Please feel free to choose one or two of these and help invoke luck, love, and wealth in 2022.
Legumes
Because I am a bean-head, I am going to start with legumes. Both lentils and black-eyed peas are considered to be extra lucky foods at the start of the new year. There is a whole lot of disagreement about how and why black-eyed peas first became lucky. Regardless of their origin story, black-eyed peas are the marvel superhero of New Year’s foods. They represent grit, survival, and prosperity. Serve them up with cornbread and hearty greens for the TKO of lucky dishes. Eat lentils for luck, because they are great for brain health, or just because you like them.
Fruit
The luckiest fruits for the new year are oranges, grapes, and pomegranates. In a number of cultures, twelve grapes are eaten at midnight to bring luck in each of the months of the new year. Pomegranates are a symbol of fertility, life, and abundance because of all the little red seeds. Oranges also reap benefits thanks to their color representing wealth and prosperity in the new year.
Greens
The symbolism is clear. Leafy greens represent dollar bills y'all. Pick your favorite green and eat a big bowl of slow-cooked collard greens, sauteed kale, wilted spinach, or even cabbage rolled up like a wad of money.
Meat
While most of the symbolic foods are humble, there are a few animal proteins that are considered quite lucky at the new year. Pork represents prosperity in some communities, a traditional new year's meal represents an opportunity to eat as much pork as possible. Eat fish for abundance in the coming year.
Starches
Rice will bring you fertility and wealth. Eat really long noodles for really long life. Cornbread should have a place at your table for wealth. And wrap up with a bundt cake for dessert representing the full circle of life.
Whatever you prepare for this new year, you can make it lucky. Set your intentions, be mindful, and enter the year with an open heart. Negativity is a self-fulfilling prophecy, so let’s all hope for a great new year!
Prosecco Grapes - courtesy of Delish.com
INGREDIENTS:
2 # green grapes - stemmed
1 750-ml bottle of prosecco
4 oz vodka
½ c sugar
DIRECTIONS:
Pour prosecco and vodka over grapes and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Drain grapes, sprinkle sugar over the top and shake to coat.
Enjoy.
Sweet and Moist Northern-Style Cornbread - from Serious Eats
INGREDIENTS:
1 c yellow cornmeal
1 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c sugar
2 t baking powder
1 t Kosher salt
1/2 t baking soda
3/4 c sour cream
1/2 c buttermilk
2 large eggs
3 T melted butter, cooled slightly, plus 1 additional tablespoon for pan
2 T canola oil
DIRECTIONS:
Place a 10" cast iron skillet on the middle rack in the oven and preheat to 425°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together sour cream, buttermilk, eggs, 3 tablespoons melted butter, and canola oil. Add dry ingredients a little at a time to the wet ingredients and whisk to combine.
Using potholders, carefully remove the hot pan from the oven. Place 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet and swirl to completely melt and coat inside of the pan. Pour in cornbread batter and place in oven. Bake until a skewer inserted into the middle of the cornbread comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let bread cool in pan for 5 minutes, then carefully turn out to wire rack and let cool an additional 10 minutes. Serve immediately. Reheat any leftover cornbread before serving again.
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