Throughout the ages and in every culture, there are customs and superstitions linked to New Years Eve and New Years Day. In this country, bubbles are considered good luck, so imbibers toast the new year with champagne. A piece of gold jewelry placed in your glass supposedly promises wealth, so many pack a bauble. Those we kiss at midnight are destined to remain close to us throughout the year—so place those kisses wisely. And we make noise at midnight—lots of it—ostensibly to chase away evil spirits.
Food superstitions abound as well, and many are rooted in the South. One theory says that black-eyed peas were the only foodstuff left after the Yankees decimated the farmers fields; others believe that the slaves ate the ample legume on Jan. 1 to celebrate the day the Emancipation went into effect. Today, anyone with any Southern blood in them at all eats black-eyed peas on the first day of the new year, usually with some type of greens (collards, kale, spinach, cabbage), as the color signifies money, and a little more of that never hurts.
Similarly, eating anything yellow is good luck as well, as yellow is the color of gold. Lentils, specifically green lentils, are lucky because their roundness symbolizes coins.
In the South, pigs are considered symbols of good luck, because they root forward when foraging for their food. So a Southern meal of black-eyed peas, pork, greens, and golden cornbread was believed to exponentially increase ones luck. Hoppin John (black-eyed peas and pork) is consumed all over the South on Jan. 1, and is usually served over rice, another food that symbolizes abundance because it swells as it is cooked. A shiny coin is often thrown into the Hoppin John cooking pot, and the person who gets it in their bowl is due an extra portion of good luck (which they may need to pay for the tooth they fractured chomping down on that coin). We hear theres also a variant called Hoppin Juan, made with Spanish black beans. No word on whether or not a Hoppin Giovanni exists…
Another tradition holds that counting the number of peas predicts the amount of luck that one will have in the coming year (one pea = one day), so I suppose the optimum serving on New Years Day is 365 black-eyed peas. (You know, all of the sudden Jan. 2 doesnt sound so lucky.)
Conversely, its considered bad luck to eat crab or lobster on New Years Day, as they move sideways, and no bottom-dwellers either, like catfish, or you may become a bottom-feeder as well. But other fish are OK, because they swim forward. Now its very bad luck to eat chicken or turkey, because they scratch backward for food, so anyone consuming this type of poultry is destined to “scratch in the dirt” for food in the upcoming year. Oh, and any kind of beef is out as well, as cows eat standing still, and no one wants to do that.
A Spanish tradition calls for eating 12 grapes, one at a time to represent the months, accompanied by a wish for each month. And if you encounter a sour grape(s), well, that month may not be so good.
Home cupboards and pantries must be stocked full heading into a new year. Doing so guarantees theyll stay that way. And no tears should be shed on the dawn of a new year, as it sets a precedent for the rest of the year.
In this country, we may write down our regrets and toss them into the fire. We might even open the windows and doors at midnight to let the old year escape, and open them again the next day to let the fresh air in. In South America, though, they wear red underwear (to catch a mate) or yellow underwear (for prosperity) and some believe better luck is achieved if one wears the underwear backwards. And if it has circles or polka dots on it, all the better, as this symbolizes—you guessed it, coins. On the first day of the year, citizens are encouraged not to work, as that is considered bad luck. It is also bad luck to start off the year doing laundry, or a family member may be washed away.
On Sunday, we plan to honor a few of those South American traditions. Just as soon as we track down our yellow underwear.
Mahe is St. Louis Magazines dining editor. Like this story? Want to share other feedback? Send Mahe an email at [email protected].
New Year’s Day marks a fresh start and a time of renewal for many cultures around the world As the clock strikes midnight, people look forward to their first meal of the year Special dishes and culinary customs abound, often based on symbolic beliefs, auspicious omens, or lighthearted superstitions. A frequently asked question is can you eat turkey on New Year’s Day? Let’s explore the origins and reasoning behind this holiday food tradition.
The Role of Superstition in New Year’s Meals
Folklore and superstition heavily influence the food selections for New Year’s meals Certain ingredients are thought to attract good fortune, while others represent bad luck in the coming year For example
- Greens symbolize prosperity and wealth.
- Fish signifies abundance.
- Ring-shaped foods represent the cycle of the year.
Conversely, some foods are considered detrimental
- Lobsters and chickens move backwards.
- Bottom feeders like catfish move along the murky bottom.
- Turkey scratches backwards while foraging.
Is Turkey Off Limits on New Year’s Day?
According to superstition, turkey is not an ideal New Year’s dish. The belief stems from a turkey’s tendency to scratch backwards, representing backward progress in the new year.
However, this belief is not universally accepted. Many cultures lack specific taboos about turkey. Leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas often gets incorporated into New Year’s meals.
Ultimately, the choice depends on one’s beliefs. Staunch followers of superstition may avoid turkey, while others focus more on enjoyment.
Examining the Pros and Cons of Serving Turkey
Let’s examine the advantages and concerns around eating turkey on New Year’s Day:
Pros:
- Turkey is festive and celebratory.
- It can feed a crowd as a main dish.
- Leftovers are convenient.
- Dark meat contains tryptophan to promote restful sleep.
- It is lean and healthier than red meats.
Cons:
- The backwards-scratching superstition persists.
- Guests may be tired of turkey after Thanksgiving/Christmas.
- Whole turkeys require labor-intensive preparation.
- Food safety risks exist around undercooked turkey.
Accommodating Guest Preferences and Dietary Needs
When planning New Year’s menus, hosts should consider guests’ dietary restrictions. Offering vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options ensures everyone can partake.
Communicating with guests ahead of time prevents awkward situations later. Their health and enjoyment should take priority over outdated superstitions.
Getting Creative with New Year’s Turkey Dishes
For turkey-loving hosts, creative recipes can give this poultry a fresh New Year’s flair, like:
- Hearty turkey chili
- Turkey tetrazzini with noodles and sherry
- Turkey pot pie in flaky pastry
- Simple turkey sandwiches with cranberry relish
- Turkey salad wraps with avocado and greens
- Open-faced turkey melts with tomato and cheese
- Turkey soup with veggies, pasta or rice
Focusing on Togetherness
Rather than dated superstitions, focus on preparing thoughtful, delicious food that fosters quality time with loved ones. Provide inclusive, nourishing dishes that make all guests feel welcomed and appreciated as you embark on a new year together.
Why Do We Eat Turkey During the Holidays?
FAQ
Can I eat turkey on New Year’s Day?
Lentils are oftentimes paired with an egg, which is a symbol of new life. We would also eat something that doesn’t fly (so no chicken, turkey, duck…). Reason why is to keep the luck from flying away. You shouldn’t eat fish either because your luck will swim away.
What meat can you eat on New Year’s Day?
Pork: Pork is considered lucky in many cultures because pigs symbolize progress and prosperity. It is believed that eating pork on New Year’s Day will bring good luck (2).
Can you eat poultry on New Year’s Day?
If you don’t want your luck to fly away in the new year, it’s best to avoid any animal that has wings and scratches in the dirt, like turkey or chicken. These birds scratch backward, which can imply dwelling in the past or—even worse—the need to scrape by for your living.
What to eat and not eat on New Year’s Day?
More food equals more luck, but avoid lobster
Noodles, pork, whole fish and pomegranate seeds can also bring you luck in the new year. Grapes and lentils aren’t the only things you can eat to bring good fortune to 2025. Pigs have always been considered lucky, so a meal with pork can bring prosperity.
What to eat on New Year’s day?
Also, eating chicken or turkey is also a bad luck because they have this habit of digging backwards in search of food. If you want to know What to Eat on New Year’s Day, then eat 12 grapes, each grape signifies good luck in each of the 12 months. This is followed by Spanish people and the sour grapes signify bad luck.
Do certain foods bring bad luck if you eat them on New Year’s day?
Did you know that many cultures believe certain foods can bring bad luck if you eat them on New Year’s Day? While these beliefs might seem quirky to some, millions of people worldwide take them seriously and plan their New Year’s meals carefully. From avoiding chicken because it “scratches backwards” (symbolizing setbacks) to skipping lobster
Is it bad luck to eat crab on New Year’s day?
Also, a shiny coin is chunk into the cooking pot and the person who gets it in his meal will be considered extra lucky. Dissimilar to that, it is considered bad luck to eat crab or lobster on New Year’s Day, as they move sideways. Also, eating chicken or turkey is also a bad luck because they have this habit of digging backwards in search of food.
Should you eat turkey & scallion dumplings in the New Year?
You’re encouraged to eat plenty of dumplings, to help bring you wealth and good fortune in the New Year. (P.S. These turkey and scallion dumplings make good use of any leftover holiday turkey you have lurking in your freezer.)
Why do people eat rice on New Year’s Eve?
Rice is a staple of New Year’s celebrations in Asia—and in the South, where it’s paired with red beans for Hoppin’ John, which is served on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day to bring prosperity and luck. It’s associated with prosperity and good luck, and in India, it’s believed it can take away bad omens.
Why do people eat Black Eyed Peas on New Year Eve?
Eating black-eyed peas on the New Year eve is considered good luck by Southern people. Eating green peas which signify money is believed to bring wealth to the people who eat them on the first day of the year. Eating lentils is also considered as good luck by many, as yellow color signifies gold which in turn is a form of money.