Wondering what everyone else is eating to celebrate New Year’s around the world (and across America)?

Here’s a list of 25 lucky regional and ethnic foods and their recipes that will help you start the new year right. According to legend, all of the New Year’s foods below are reputed to attract prosperity for the new year.

Organized By “Lucky” Ingredient

Black Eyed Peas (Cowpeas)

• U.S. South: Black-Eyed Peas with Andouille Sausage and Rice (Hoppin John) from The Cook’s Tour
• U.S. South: New Year’s Day Good Fortune Soup from Homesick Texan
• U.S. South: Pork and Black Eyed Pea Jambalaya from About.Com: Southern Food

Cabbage

• Croatia: Sarma (Stuffed Cabbage) from All Recipes
• Germany: New Year’s Day Sauerkraut from Sauerkraut Recipes
• Korea: Oi-sobagi Kimchi Stuffed Cucumber Kimchi from Chow.Com
• Korea: Sweet Potato and Kim Chi Pancakes from Epicurious

Grapes

• Spain and Cuba: 12 grapes are rapidly consumed just after midnight.

Greens (Collard Greens, Spinach, etc.)

• U.S. South: Collard Greens from What’s Cooking America 
• U.S. South: Creamed Turnip Greens from Andrea’s Recipes

Lentils

• Hungary: Hungarian Lentil Soup (Lencse Leves) from Yum Recipes 
• Italy: Risotto with Lentils and Pancetta from About.Com: Italian Food

Pork

• U.S. South: Crispy Benne Seed Party Bites With Louisiana Honey Mustard
• U.S. South: Charleston Chili
• U.S. South: Pork and Black Eyed Pea Jambalaya from About.Com: Southern Food
• Germany and Poland: Stuffed Pork Chops with Kielbasa and Sauerkraut from Simply Recipes

Seafood

• Denmark: Torsk (Broiled and Buttered Cod Fillets from Cooks’ Recipes
• Germany: German New Year’s Herring from Yum Foods
• Italy: Salt Cod With Polenta (Baccala alla Vicentina) from the Food Network
• Poland: Polish Rollmops from About.Com: Eastern European Food

Misc.

• Greece: Vassilopitta (St. Basil’s Cake) from In Mama’s Kitchen
• Holland: Olie Bollen (Dutch Doughnuts) from Fabulous Foods
• Native American (Cree Indian): Boullets (New Year’s Meatball Soup) from The Perfect Pantry 
• U.S. South: Huguenot Torte from Discover South Carolina
• U.S. South: Real Cornbread from Aol.Com: Food

Enjoy!

If you liked this article on HuggingtheCoast.Com, you might also enjoy reading:

• 10 Last Minute Dessert Recipe Ideas for Delicious Home Holiday Entertaining
• Crispy Benne Seed Party Bites With Louisiana Honey Mustard
• The Top 10 Hottest Food Trends of 2008 (and a Few Predictions for 2009)

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This is a truly beautiful and tasty appetizer. If you’ve ever had Shrimp Saganaki in a Greek restaurant you’ll know what I mean. Here’s a recipe for Shrimp Saganaki from the folks at Kalofagas: Greek Food and Beyond.

Ingredients:

6 large whole shrimp
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 small red onion, sliced
1/4 green bell pepper, sliced
1/4 yellow bell pepper, sliced
Diced hot banana pepper (amount depends on how spicy you like your dish)
1 medium ripe tomato, diced
1/2 cup button mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup Greek feta, coarsely crumbled
1 tsp. dried Greek oregano
Splash of Ouzo
Grated Mozzarella (or other white cheese)
Salt to taste

How to Make Shrimp Saganaki
See More of Hugging the Coast’s Fish For Friday Recipes

Looking for a a very comforting and homey recipe you can make in 90 minutes or less? Try making this recipe for Salt Cod Cakes from the folks at the CIA Sizzle blog.

Ingredients:

1 pound Salt Cod filet
Water as needed
2 2/3 cups milk

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 2/3 cups Russet potatoes (2-3 large), peeled
1 egg
1 tablespoon brown mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco sauce to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste

1 cup Panko Japanese bread crumbs
12 slices bacon
Vegetable oil to pan-fry as needed
12 toothpicks

How to Make Salt Cod Cakes
See More of Hugging the Coast’s Fish For Friday Recipes