The below was found at:
http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/holidays/newyearsday/luckyfoods
check it out for the full article.
Cooked Greens
Cooked greens, including cabbage, collards, kale, and chard, are consumed at New Year's in different countries for a simple reason — their green leaves look like folded money, and are thus symbolic of economic fortune. The Danish eat stewed kale sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, the Germans consume sauerkraut (cabbage) while in the southern United States, collards are the green of choice. It's widely believed that the more greens one eats the larger one's fortune next year.
Legumes
Legumes including beans, peas, and lentils are also symbolic of money. Their small, seedlike appearance resembles coins that swell when cooked so they are consumed with financial rewards in mind. In Italy, it's customary to eat cotechino con lenticchie or sausages and green lentils, just after midnight—a particularly propitious meal because pork has it's own lucky associations. Germans also partner legumes and pork, usually lentil or split pea soup with sausage. In Brazil, the first meal of the New Year is usually lentil soup or lentils and rice, and in Japan, the osechi-ryori, a group of symbolic dishes eaten during the first three days of the new year, includes sweet black beans called kuro-mame.
In the Southern United States, it's traditional to eat black-eyed peas or cowpeas in a dish called hoppin' john. There are even those who believe in eating one pea for every day in the new year. This all traces back to the legend that during the Civil War, the town of Vicksburg, Virginia, ran out of food while under attack. The residents fortunately discovered black-eyed peas and the legume was thereafter considered lucky.
Pork
The custom of eating pork on New Year's is based on the idea that pigs symbolize progress. The animal pushes forward, rooting itself in the ground before moving. Roast suckling pig is served for New Year's in Cuba, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, and Austria—Austrians are also known to decorate the table with miniature pigs made of marzipan. Different pork dishes such as pig's feet are enjoyed in Sweden while Germans feast on roast pork and sausages. Pork is also consumed in Italy and the United States, where thanks to its rich fat content, it signifies wealth and prosperity.
What NOT to eat
In addition to the aforementioned lucky foods, there are also a few to avoid. Lobster, for instance, is a bad idea because they move backwards and could therefore lead to setbacks. Chicken is also discouraged because the bird scratches backwards, which could cause regret or dwelling on the past. Another theory warns against eating any winged fowl because good luck could fly away.
Now that you know what to eat, there's one more superstition—that is, guideline—to keep in mind. In Germany, it's customary to leave a little bit of each food on your plate past midnight to guarantee a stocked pantry in the New Year. Likewise in the Philippines, it's important to have food on the table at midnight. The conclusion? Eat as much lucky food as you can, just don't get too greedy—or the first place you'll be going in the new year is the gym.
After reading this I did a search to see what some Irish traditions may be, while I did not find anything specific to food, I did find a bunch of superstitions, some were kind of neat, other's just plain crazy.
http://www.irishfireside.com/enewsletter/1206/1206holidaytrad.htm is the site to check out different holidays and their traditions.
New Year’s Eve
Like elsewhere, the Irish celebrate New Year’s Eve with gusto. Greeting cards are exchanged between friends. Homes are made clean and spotless. Fresh linens are laid and cellars stocked with coal and provisions with hope that the upcoming year will be blessed and plentiful. Tables are spread with delicacies and children are allowed to stay up until midnight. An old Irish custom is to open and close the front door at the last stroke of midnight allowing the “old” year out and the “new” year in.
New Year superstitions are many. If you truly want to avoid bad luck in the coming year, do as the Irish do and avoid any of the following on New Year’s Day:
- Don’t wear shoes with a hole in them - or financial problems will remain with you the entire year
- Don’t wear new clothes on this day
- Don’t sweep the floor – or you’ll sweep a good friend away
- Don’t do laundry - throwing out water on this day is considered to be unlucky
- Don’t remove the ashes from the fire
- Don’t let the fire in the hearth go out
- Don't make deals - money made on New Years Day will bring bad luck
- Don’t carry debts over into the New Year
- Don’t pay bills on the first Monday of the New Year
With such a lengthy list of things not allowed on this day, it might be wise for one to stay in bed! But only AFTER you clean the chimney – for doing so will bring good luck, as will having the first visitor of the year (preferably a dark-haired man) bring a lump of coal to your home. However, beware a red-haired woman or someone whose eyebrows grow together as your first visitor – an omen that bad fortune will visit during the coming year.
Regardless of how you all chose to celebrate we wish you a happy healthy (luck filled) New Year!!!
Good Night
~CM
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