Review the Typical New Year's Eve food in different countries It will bring you more than one surprise. For example, in our nation there are fixed The grapes of luck to welcome the new year. However, this tradition is not as old as others. There is two theories about it, but both date back to the late XNUMXth and early XNUMXth centuries.
According to the first, it was the people of Madrid who began to take them in order to parody the custom adopted by the aristocracy.a to celebrate the beginning of the year with champagne and, precisely, with grapes. But the second theory is more accepted. This says that The harvest of this fruit was very abundant in 1909 and, to give it a way out, the growers launched an advertising campaign encouraging people to drink them on New Year's Eve. But, returning to the topic at hand, below, we show you the typical New Year's Eve food in different countries.
Italy and lentils
One of the most curious typical dishes for New Year's Eve is the one they eat in Italy. There they call that moment the Capodanno vigil (end of the year) or night of Saint Sylvester (San Silvestre). The custom comes from nothing less than Roman empire, when a bag of lentils was given as a wish that they would be converted into coins next year.
From there, the product went to the kitchen and even today Italians prepare the cotecchino with leticchie, which are stewed lentils with sausage from Modena. Therefore, it is one of the oldest gastronomic traditions in the world for this night.
Japan and its famous noodles
As you know, the soba noodles, which are made with buckwheat flour, are very popular throughout the Asian continent. In Japan they even drink them on New Year's Eve, although Christmas celebrations are not part of their culture.
In any case, they usually have noodle soup for dinner that is made according to the recipe of the toshikoshi soba (something like "noodles for the passing of the year"). They associate them, symbolically, with leaving behind twelve hard months because they are easy to cut. But they are also linked to longevity because they are long and to resistance due to the strength of the plant from which they come.
Poland, Scandinavian countries, herrings and green leafy vegetables
We now move to the north Europe to tell you about one of the most curious recipes in terms of typical New Year's Eve food in different countries. In this case, it is more of an ingredient that is usually included in dinner. It is the green leafy vegetable, which symbolizes the color of the banknotes and the arrival of wealth with the new year.
It is traditional of Poland, some areas of Germany and Nordic countries, where pickled herrings are also consumed. Likewise, in Norway they are made porridge with rice in which an almond is hidden. According to tradition, whoever finds it on his plate is blessed. Finally, they toast with some type of brandy.
Greece and vasilopita, an example of what is sweet among the typical New Year's Eve food in different countries
As it could not be otherwise, sweets are very important in New Year's Eve dinners in all countries. We don't need to tell you about our nougat. But the Greek custom is more curious. On the last night of the year they savor the vasilopita or bread of Saint Basil, which is a kind of cake.
We could link it to our roscón de reyes, since they also introduce an object (in his case, a coin), which brings luck to whoever finds it in his portion.
But, as we told you, it is not the only sweet recipe among the typical New Year's Eve food in different countries. For example, in Israel they take apples with honey and in Holland some buns filled with candied fruits or raisins are called deep fried doughnut balls. Likewise, in Great Britain there is no shortage of Christmas Pudding at the end of the year tables.
Portugal and the king's bolo
But, if we are talking about similarities with our roscón de reyes, we must travel to Portugal to find something very similar. Its about king's bolo, which is consumed during every Christmas. Curiously, it is believed that its recipe came from Paris in the XIX century. But, over time, the tradition of tasting it settled in the neighboring country.
It is prepared with almost the same ingredients as the roscón and its final appearance is very similar. However, the dough also contains nuts such as walnuts, pine nuts or almonds and, in addition, raisins and port wine to flavor it. Precisely, the raisins They lead us to tell you about another of their traditions similar to ours, since the Portuguese take twelve with the chimes.
Argentina and meat
As you know, the Argentine beef It is famous all over the world. Therefore, it could not be missing from your New Year's Eve menu. However, curiously, the recipe made in that country arrived with Italian emigrants. Its about Vitello tonnato or tuna beef, which Argentines have adapted as vitel tonate.
You must keep in mind that Christmas in those latitudes coincides with summer. Thus this recipe is cold. It consists of thin slices of beef covered with a sauce made with heavy cream, capers, anchovies, mustard and, as we said, tuna.
Mexico and the curiosity of cod
Speaking of typical New Year's Eve food in different countries, if we mention cod, you will surely think of Portugal. Not in vain, perhaps it is its national recipe par excellence. But, if we talk about Christmas time, we also is typical of Mexico.
In this case, more than the Portuguese, it is due to the influence of Spain. In fact, the preparation of Mexican cod is very similar to the vizcaina. In addition, on New Year's Day it is tradition to celebrate an informal breakfast in which the dishes from the previous dinner reappear.
Finally, the sweet note of this is provided by the nougats, but, as a typical drink, a punch made with fruits like guava or tejocote.
In conclusion, we have shown you several recipes for Typical New Year's Eve food in different countries. As you have seen, each one has unique customs and some even really curious. Dare to try these dishes.