5 Surprising New Year's Food Traditions From Around the World

By Susannah Chen

Are you determined to make 2015 your best year yet? If so, maybe it's time to consider incorporating some lucky New Year's traditions into your year-end dinner routine. Why stick to local food traditions when you might just get extra help from other fortuitous foods eaten elsewhere in the world? Take a look at some of the globe's luckiest food traditions. We assure you, some of them are worth stealing.

United States: Black-Eyed Peas

United States: Black-Eyed Peas

In many parts of the country, black-eyed peas are a traditional part of the New Year's celebration. Like some other legumes, black-eyed peas are considered a sign of good luck.

Spain: Grapes

Spain: Grapes

Those ringing in la Vispera de Año Nuevo, or New Year's Eve, in Spain consume 12 grapes at midnight, as each grape signifies each stroke of the clock. The tradition harks back to 1909, when winemakers in the Alicante region began the tradition. Beware if you get a sour grape: this signifies a tough month in the year ahead.

Source: Nicole Perry

The Netherlands: Doughnuts

The Netherlands: Doughnuts

In many cultures, a ring or circle is a symbol of prosperity, so it only makes sense that doughnuts are eaten as part of traditional Dutch New Year's cuisine and thought to bring good fortune.

Eastern Europe: Cabbage
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Eastern Europe: Cabbage

In parts of Eastern Europe, cabbage is considered a lucky vegetable. Its leaves are thought to be representative of paper currency, and so this vegetable and symbol of prosperity is traditionally consumed on New Year's.

Vietnam: Shark Fin Soup

Vietnam: Shark Fin Soup

It may be controversial here in America, but in Vietnam, shark fin soup is a popular New Year's dish during the Lunar New Year.