New Year 2022: New Year food traditions from around the world and the reason why they're followed

Another year comes to an end and we survived second wave of Coronavirus, some more natural disasters, and some manmade calamities too. But, as they say, there is always a hope for a better tomorrow. So, let the memories rest for a while, and on a positive note, welcome New Year 2022 with a plate full of flavours and aroma. Have a look at these New Year food traditions from around the world, get inspired, and let the celebration begin.

Also See: New Year 2022: Foods you should have this New Year as per your zodiac sign

Here, eating a dozen grapes, as the clock strike 12 at midnight is a tradition, and if you don’t manage to eat all the grapes then that’s bad luck. It is also believed that sweet grapes predict good fortune, while the sour ones predict not-so-good future.

Also See: Happy New Year 2022: Top 50 Wishes, Messages and Quotes to share with your loved ones

It’s soft and delectable corn dough stuffed with meat and cheese and wrapped in a banana leaf or a corn husk. In many families, women make big batches of these little packets and hand out to friends, family and neighbors’, as New Year luck.

In India, people start afresh by offering Indian sweets to Lord Ganesha or other deities. From Gulab Jamun, Laddoo, to Malpua, people prepare a plethora of sweet dishes, offer them to the almighty at bhog and pray for prosperity, good health, and happiness. Later, the bhog is distributed among friends and family.

As a tradition, people in El Salvador, crack an egg into a glass of water a minute before midnight. The following morning everyone decides what their yolk looks like, and the answer represents what the near year will bring in for them.

In Italy, they consume lentils in the form of coin-like discs and it is believed that this brings in prosperity for the year ahead. It is served with Cotechino, and a pork sausage.

It is a kind of frittata made with egg and fresh herbs, and is a is traditional dish at Nowruz, the Persian celebration of New Year too. It is believed that consuming Kuku sabzi brings in abundance, prosperity and land fertility for the year ahead.

Interestingly, people in Turkey smash pomegranate on their doorways on New Year’s, and it is believed that the more seeds burst out, the more good fortune you will come to you in the year ahead.

This is more like a filling platter and every ingredient has a meaning to it. If we go by reports, Beans or peas represent pennies, cooked greens represent folded money, pork represents general prosperity, and cornbread represents wealth due to its golden colour. So, are you up for it to bring in prosperity and happiness back home?

In Scotland, New Year celebration is incomplete without Scottish whisky which is believed to bring in a merry year ahead. The other thing that people in Scotland eat on New Year Eve is Spiced Fruitcake, which is a sign that you’ll have enough food to prosper in the years to come.