So far, we’ve given you two traditionally lucky foods to eat on New Year’s Day - black eyed peas and cabbage.  You might want to add a little bacon, sausage, ham hock or any other pork derived meat to what you are cooking.  Pigs are seen to be the luckiest animal because, unlike chickens who scratch backward or cows that stand still, pigs root forward.  Most of the recipes we’ve given so far already have pork in them, so you should be set.

However, a Spanish tradition says to eat twelve grapes at midnight.  The story goes that you should say the months of the year between eating each grape.  If the grape is sweet, that month of the year will be a sweet one.  You could cheat tradition a bit with a Spanish White Gazpacho made with grapes and almonds.  Say the month names if you want to, but there won’t be any sour grapes in your batch!!

If you want to make or keep a little chunk of change this coming year, you’ve gotta eat for it.  Tradition says that you should eat cabbage on New Year’s Day if you want prosperity for the coming year.  Your bunch will be the wealthiest on the block when you make our “not just cabbage” recipes.  They are so easy and delicious, the cash will be just an added  bonus!

Black eyed peas are a holiday staple on New Year’s Day.  They symbolize luck, humility, prosperity…all things that never hurt to have a little extra of.  If you want a traditional-style dish, you can check out our Southern Black Eyed Peas. We’ll be making our peas in a slightly more gourmet style with this award winning recipe for Black Eyed Pea Hummus. It is so delicious when it is served with pita chips and some red pepper escalivada. Try it out - you’ll feel like your luck came early this year!