Sharing a few New year traditions around the world

   Culture doesn't stop at the traditional garment that people wear during special celebration . There are special dishes that get eaten on special occasion . So this New year , I pick out a few dishes that are prepared especially for New Years . It's quite interesting to see what they eat and the reason . In my opinion , most of the reason behind it somewhat correlate with each other . 

Haiti

After all the festivities of New Years Eve , everyone toasted to the new year , you might want to know what else should you expect in a Haitian household .  January first is a time of celebration for Haitian all over the world because not only it's the first day of the new years  but most importantly we are celebrating our Independence . Being the first independent black country in the world is one of our biggest pride. On that day , you can expect to have Soup de Giraumon / soup joumou  which is a  mildly spicy  butter squash soup that contains you guess it butter squash , beef , potatoes , plantains and vegetables such as carrots , green cabbage , celery and onions . I might be biased but it is a MASTERPIECE that hit you at the right spot every time .

AMERICAN SOUTH

During New Year,  the American South community eat a dish that is comprise of pork flavored peas or black eye peas that symbolize coins . It could be a way to bring wealth and abundance for the new year. Never has pork flavored peas must be DELICIOUS 😜!!

SPAIN

     I know you see grape and you think , where is the connection right ? why this fruit in particular . During New Year in Spain , when the clock strikes midnight no matter where they are they eat one grape for every  toll of clock bell. For the people who are not into the seeds , they start preparing it by removing the seeds  so they will not run into any conflict when midnights comes around .

MEXICO

Who would have guess that tamales is a New Years dish consumed during New Years eve? I have eaten a few and they are tasty. I never had the chance to go to Mexico to eat authentic Tamales . For those that don't know what's a Tamales , it's  a corn dough stuff with meat , cheese and other delicious additions and wrapped in banana leaf or corn husk .

A group of women prepare them together , most of the time they can make as many as 100. Everyone has a job , so they would most likely stand in order of preparation and move the parts down like a assembly line . It is a great time for the young women to learn about their heritage and also share stories .

JAPON

Japanese  families eat buckwheat soba noodles, or Toshikoshi soba, at midnight on New Year's Eve to bid farewell to the year gone by and welcome the year to come. This is a  tradition dates back to the 17th century, and the long noodles symbolize longevity and prosperity.

 

Friends and family spend the day before New Year's prepping  mochi rice cakes. Sweet, glutinous rice is washed, soaked, steamed and pounded into a smooth mass. Then guests take turns pinching off pieces to make into small buns that are later eaten for dessert.

  

POLAND AND SCANDINAVIA

 

Polish New Year's Eve preparation of pickled herring, called Sledzie Marynowane, is made by soaking whole salt herrings in water for 24 hours and then layering them in a jar with onions, allspice, sugar and white vinegar. 

Scandinavians will often include herring in a larger midnight smorgasbord with smoked and pickled fish, pate and meatballs.

It looks quite interesting , I don't know if i would be brave enough to taste this dish no matter how appealing it might look. 

DENMARK AND NORWAY

wreath cake, is a cake tower composed of many concentric rings of cake layered atop one another, and they are made for New Year's Eve and other special occasions in Denmark and Norway. 

The cake is made using marzipan, often with a bottle of wine or Aquavit in the center and can be decorated with ornaments, flags and crackers.

My sweet tooth will never forgive me if i pass on this amazing looking dessert . 

                        

                                   I would love to learn about your country of origin New Years dish or dishes !

                                                                              Always stay zen 😀✌