On New Year's Eve Japanese folks eat something called toshikoshi soba--a nutty buckwheat noodle--symbolizing long life. It's also incredibly tasty!
Next day, it's pounded steamed sticky rice made into mochi, which many may be familiar with as treats filled with ice cream. At the new year, though, they are savory, toasted and popped atop a savory clear bonito broth with shrimp, greens and bit of fish cake, served alongside a bevy of other symbolic, traditional foods.
Usually there are loose-skinned tangerines passed around. In Japan, it is the new year rather than Christmas when families come home and gather together.
After my wife and I cooking Passover, Thanksgiving and Chanukah at our house for everyone in the family, letting the kids bring in Chinese take out for Christmas Eve’s dinner gives them a way to feel like they’re active participants in the annual cycle. For New Year’s Eve we just go out to a movie and dinner by ourselves.
On Jan 1, 2018, I (woman with Southern ancestry roots that migrated West a few years ago from the Northeast) introduced my Cali born (Marin born and raised) significant other to the New Year Good Luck meal of pork, greens and black-eyed peas.
He is already looking forward to going back to our favorite BBQ spot for our Good Luck Brunch. We are going to savor every bite, reflect, be grateful and enjoy the 1st day of 2019.
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Thank you for this cheerful, uplifting, heart warming article !
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