New Years means a lot of different things to each of us. For many, it is a time for reflection, renewal and to set new goals. A new, blank calendar can symbolizes a new chapter in life waiting to be written.
That being said, many folklore have been passed down throughout the years all around the world, on New Years Traditions and Superstitions. Some cultures believe from what you eat, to what you wear could determine whether or not you have a good year. You can find a very detailed post on New Years Lucky Foods as well as New Years Lucky Food Menu Ideas, by clicking on the highlighted links.
For this post, we thought we would have some fun and give you our list of Lucky Foods Worth Traveling For.
Collard Greens in the South: Visit the South. Some of our favorite cities in the U.S. include Charleston and Savannah. While in Charleston why not shop for Antiques, tour Historic Private Homes and Gardens, enjoy the Art galleries, religious sites and the famous waterfront district. Savannah offers plenty of charm, Civil War history, food & ghost tours, plantation and historic home tours as well as a busy waterfront.
Whether you visit Charleston, Savannah or a small town in the South, a typical New Years feast includes Black-eye Peas or Hoppin’ Johns, Cornbread & Collard Greens. Hoppin’ John is made of black eyed peas and rice cooked with bacon, fatback or ham hock. It is thought that eating pork will mean your wallets will be fatter in the new year! The pig also roots forward and can’t turn it’s head backwards with represents moving forward in the New Year. Pork is also used in the collard greens for the same reason. Beans and rice swell when you cook them which also symbolizes prosperity in the new year.
Soba Noodles in Japan: Japan offers travelers a wealth of cultural treasures and historical sites, stunning natural beauty, active options such as hiking, winter sports, and golf, entertainment of all sorts – from highbrow kabuki and classical music to karaoke, great shopping, a rich culinary tradition, and much more. Soba noodles are eaten on New Year’s Eve in Japan. Made from buckwheat flour, they signify long life, strength and resiliency, but no cutting them as it is though that will cut the luck from the New Year, so slurp away!
Vasilopita in Greece: Greece and her incredible islands should be on everyone’s bucket list! Greece is one the most popular vacation destinations in the world, and for good reason: the landscape offers a picturesque variety and its cuisine will reward even the most demanding visitors. It is also a country with a great and ancient history; one that gave birth to the Olympic Games, the concepts of democracy and philosophy, and ancient Greek drama.
What could be luckier than a cake with a coin hidden inside? Vasilopita is a cake served on New Years throughout Greece. It represents prosperity, particularly for the person who gets the slice with the coin in it. For extra luck, top it with pomegranate seeds.
Lentils in Cuba: Lentils resemble little coins. On New Year’s Day, Cubans (as well as several South American countries,) eat lentils and rice, or lentil soup to ensure good fortune in the year to come.
Tamales in Mexico: Experience aquamarine waters, gleaming beaches, delectable cuisine and invigorating nightlife in the Caribbean. Or soak in Mexico’s rich land, dreamy landscape, the warmth of its people and the past and the present in perfect harmony.
If you are there for New Years, make sure and order tamales. Corn—the key ingredient of tamales—is the color of gold, symbolizing wealth. Tamales also represent love, for the time and labor it takes to make them.
Grapes in Spain:
Like fashion, travel destinations are in and out of style. Spain is currently in the spotlight thanks to the expanding of Madrid’s renowned Prado art museum, the new America’s Cup Sailing Village in Valencia and the amazing Guggenheim museum in Bilbao. The country is attracting foodies too with its modern twists on classic food and Spain’s growing reputation for wines.
It’s considered lucky to eat 12 grapes at midnight—one for each hour and month. Sweet grapes mean pleasant months, while sour ones signal the opposite! Yes of course we have grapes here, but somehow their color, texture and taste does not compare to those of Spain.
Wherever you go, whatever you do, we wish you a very Happy and Healthy New Years!
