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New Years Day Traditions around the world

Lucky you, if you eat right on New Year's Day

After the cork has popped off the last bottle of champagne, and you've sung “Auld Lang Syne” and wiped a tear from the eye, it's time to really celebrate the bright promise of a new year.

On New Year's Day, people around the world set the table with foods that are said to bring good luck and prosperity.

For instance, did you know that many cultures believe that eating doughnuts will get you more than a flabby tummy? In the Netherlands, anything in the shape of a ring is considered good luck because it symbolizes coming full circle, completing a year's cycle. So for the Dutch, it's doughnuts for New Year's. (The diet can wait another day.)

And in the American South, there's a saying that, if you eat peas on New Year's Day, you'll have plenty of everything the rest of the year, which is why the dish Hoppin' John, made with black-eyed peas, is so popular. The black-eyed peas are usually eaten with greens and pork, which also symbolize prosperity.

Pork plays a role in the feasts of many countries, including Germany, where it's served with sauerkraut. Sauerkraut is made from cabbage, which is considered another lucky dish, because the leaves are said to represent paper money.

There are many food traditions around the globe, but the hopeful sentiment is always the same. Here is a sampling of food customs for celebrating the first day of the year:

Lentils and pork: In Brazil, as in Italy, bowls of little coin-shaped lentils will be served up to signify wealth. To make the dish even better, chunks of pork sausage are added.

Hidden coin: In Greece, St. Basil's Cake is served up with a gold or silver coin inside. The first slice is for St. Basil (New Year's Day coincides with St. Basil's Day, which is named for one of the forefathers of the Greek Orthodox Church), the second slice is for the house and the next slices go to the most senior resident down to the youngest. The one who finds the coin will be blessed with good fortune in the coming year.

Watermelon: For the Vietnamese, watermelon is a sign of luck because of its red flesh. People even dye the seeds red and serve them as delicacies.

Red snapper and soba noodles: Red (or pink) is also considered a lucky color in Japan, where red snapper is served up, as well as long soba noodles. The belief is if you can suck up one noodle completely without it breaking, you will have a long life.

Rice: Rice turns up on New Year's tables from Vietnam to Scandinavia, where a silky rice pudding is served. Like the St. Basil's coin, an almond is hidden in the pudding, and the lucky recipient is said to enjoy good fortune.

Grapes: In Spain and Portugal, as well as Mexico and Cuba, it's tradition to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve to ensure another 12 months of happiness. That's almost as much fun as drinking champagne.

Food for a prosperous New Year

Buttermilk Doughnuts

Black-Eyed Peas with Greens

Rice Pudding

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