Eating lentils on January 1st at midnight is an old tradition from which some people do not deviate under any circumstances.
In the four corners of the world, the transition to the new year brings its share of traditions and rituals more or less fanciful. In France, on January 1st at midnight, we kiss under the mistletoe and toast with a glass of champagne. In Belgium, you enjoy sauerkraut while holding a piece firmly in your hand. In Norwaywe eat rice pudding in which an almond is hidden. In Spainwe eat twelve grapes as soon as the bells struck midnight. At Canadawe indulge in polar bear diving, understand we throw ourselves into the freezing water… And in Italy… we eat lentils January 1st. It’s the great dish to enjoy on New Year’s Eve (for some, from the first hour of the new year, even). When does this tradition date back to? Why adopt it? Response elements.
Small round seeds like coins
In Italy, within certain families, it is a tradition that should not be deviated from: eating lentils for New Year’s Day. We can eat them alone or accompanied of an Italian pork sausage, in which case it is a traditional dish called “cotechino e lenticchie”. According to customeat these small round and flat seeds which look like small coins would be a guarantee of prosperity and abundance for the year to come. Eating lentils brings good luck : tradition would protect from a good healthwould bring successthere chancethere wealth… Although it is difficult to know precisely when the origin of this traditionTHE Romans already consumed lentils on the day of the winter solstice. THE Greeks and Egyptians also consumed it regularly. A fresco dating from pharaoh Ramses II indicates the presence of a lentil soup during a meal. Very superstitious, Italians Many people respect this tradition, hoping that it brings them good luck. And little by little, this tradition imposed itself in certain French families.
You’re not superstitious? Eating lentils the day after New Year’s Eve still has real nutritional benefits. In fact, it is a way of regain strength after a drunken evening. Rich in fibers soluble (which promote transit), B group vitamins, proteins and antioxidants (which slow down cellular aging), with a low glycemic index (interesting in cases of diabetes), lentils are also very filling. Enough to start the year off on the right foot.