New Year's Day Tradition in the South (2020) - Here’s What We Eat (& Don't Eat)
What are the traditional New Year's Day foods at your home?
New Year's Day Tradition in the South (2020) - Here’s What We Eat (& Don't Eat)
Monday evening, I made my first grocery run after a busy Christmas week that was filled with entertaining and LOTS of food prep...and enjoyment, of course. I actually had to go to 3 different grocers to find one that wasn't out of the must-have traditional menu item, ham hock! Yes, you read that right - we eat ham hock on New Year's Day! Granted, one bite of any of the combination is all you have to eat but, I still have to prepare it on this day, each and every year.
Many cultures have their traditional “good luck” foods and as a true, life-long Southerner, there are traditions you just don't want to skip! So, here are the 'whys' to each item on our Southerner's New Year’s menu again this year.
What Southerners Eat on New Year's Day
*Today's late lunch includes traditional collard greens, black-eyed peas (in Hoppin' John) and, of course we have to have cornbread & ham hock.
I do this each year because, well, far be it for me to be the one to break tradition in my family!
You must have a little of each for the full gamut of luck for the year too!
According to popular folklore, and for as many generations as I can remember, our New Year's Day lunch or dinner is said to guarantee health, luck & prosperity throughout the year.
- Hoppin’ John: Black-eyed peas, ham & rice - these symbolize coins or wealth.
- Turnip Greens: Greens resemble money, specifically folding money. You can substitute boiled cabbage or sauerkraut, collard greens, kale, chard, mustard greens, turnip greens or any other green, leafy vegetables to ensure good fortune for the coming year but, turnip greens are the ‘typical’ dish here in the South.
- Ham Hock: Pork is considered a sign of prosperity in some cultures because pigs 'root' forward. We always cook ham hock but, also serve butcher’s bacon - we’re not fond of the ham hock and eat very little of it - just enough to cover the prosperity custom, then devour the thick, flavorful bacon! If you're never had ham hock, it cooks like pork rinds - and is a bit tough.
- Cornbread: This dish symbolizes gold, and even if it wasn’t ‘tradition,’ it really is a must when serving black-eyed peas and greens!
- A Sliver of Butter: We use this on our cornbread - and as little as possible! Believe it or not, this one signifies health (I suppose if you're on a keto diet, the butter and the ham hock work well for you).
What Southerners DON'T Eat on New Year's Day
- Lobster - Some believe that because lobster moves in a backward direction, this could bring setbacks in your year ahead.
- Chicken - Because chickens scratch backward as well, they can bring setbacks in your year too - and, they are winged so your luck could fly away at any time during the year.
Here's to these traditions bringing everyone health, luck & prosperity in the New Year!
© Debe Maxwell | The Maxwell House Group | CharlotteBroker@icloud.com | New Year's Day Tradition in the South (2019) - Here’s What We Eat (& Don't Eat)
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