According to Southern lore, you will have good luck for the entire year if you have the traditional New Year's Day supper. In the South, that means a meal of collard greens, hoppin' John, black-eyed peas, cornbread, and pot likker soup.

What food is traditionally eaten for luck in the southern US on New Year s Day

For an auspicious year, we've rounded up some of our favorite traditional New Year's Day recipes. In many cultures, certain foods are believed to bring good luck and prosperity in the New Year. Here are 10 traditional New Year's recipes that are considered lucky in various parts of the world:

Hoppin' John (Southern United States):
- A dish made with black-eyed peas, rice, and pork (such as ham hocks or bacon). Eating Hoppin' John on New Year's Day is thought to bring good luck and prosperity.
Lentils and Sausage (Italy):
- Lentils resemble coins and are thought to symbolize wealth and prosperity. In Italy, it's common to prepare a dish with lentils and pork sausage for New Year's.
Ozoni (Japan):
- A traditional Japanese soup containing mochi (rice cakes), vegetables, and sometimes chicken or seafood. It is often eaten on New Year's Day for good luck.
Soba Noodles (Japan):
- Toshikoshi soba, or "year-crossing noodles," is a Japanese tradition where long buckwheat noodles are eaten on New Year's Eve to symbolize longevity and to let go of the past year.
12 Grapes (Spain and Latin America):
- While not a recipe per se, in Spain and many Latin American countries, it's a tradition to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, each grape representing good luck for each month of the coming year.
Pork and Sauerkraut (Germany):
- In German culture, pork symbolizes progress, and eating sauerkraut on New Year's Day is thought to bring good luck.
Ring-Shaped Foods (Various Cultures):
- In many cultures, eating ring-shaped foods like doughnuts or bundt cakes symbolizes coming full circle and the completion of a year.
Fish (Various Cultures):
- Fish are considered lucky in many cultures because they symbolize abundance. Dishes like baked or grilled fish are popular for New Year's meals.
Greens and Cornbread (Southern United States):
- Collard greens represent paper money, and cornbread symbolizes gold. Together, they are believed to bring financial prosperity in the New Year.
Pomegranate Salad (Middle East):
- In Middle Eastern cultures, pomegranates symbolize fertility and good fortune. A salad featuring fresh pomegranate seeds is a common dish during New Year's celebrations.

Remember that these traditions and beliefs may vary across regions and families, and the most important aspect is to enjoy a festive meal with loved ones as you welcome the New Year. Enjoy your meal ./.