Feasting for Fortunes. New Year's culinary traditions around the globe promise good luck

In Poland, the New Year's Eve favorites are red borscht and a croquette, but what about the New Year's delicacies in other parts of the world? Let's discover the culinary traditions of Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Japan, Mexico, Norway, and the Czech Republic that satisfy the taste buds and carry symbolic meanings.

For instance, in Mexico, tamales, made from corn dough filled with meat, cheese, or beans, are a critical part of New Year's celebrations. Often served with aromatic salsa, tamales epitomize the local gustatory festivity.

Meanwhile, in Japan, people welcome the new year by opening ornamental boxes brimming with symbolic foods. A balanced meal consisting of grilled fish, herring roe, seaweed, black soybeans, and a sweet, sticky mochi dumpling promises happiness, health, and longevity each year.

In Greece, a New Year's table isn't complete without vasilopita, a round bread with a coin hidden inside. Each family member gets a slice of this loaf, and the person who finds the coin is considered for luck in the upcoming year.

To Norwegians, the new year tastes like risgrøt—a rice pudding with an almond. Discovering the almond in this simple yet flavorful dish laced with milk, butter, and cinnamon, often topped off with a dash of raspberry sauce, is said to bring good luck and health.

The New Year in the Czech Republic and Austria carries the inviting aroma of apple strudel. With its crisp pastry, juicy apples, and an optional scoop of ice cream or cream, this traditional dish from the Austro-Hungarian monarchy era tastes outstanding and leaves lasting impressions.

Everywhere, the new year tastes unique, yet always special and delicious. Culinary traditions are as diverse as cultures, uniting people at a communal table while promising culinary experiences and a hopeful and joyous start to the year ahead.