5 lucky dishes to make for New Year's Day

"Traditionally, in Italy, Umbrian lentils (which are small, like French lentils, in varying shades of brown) are served with cotechino, a fat pork sausage from Emilia-Romagna, the northern Italian region that brings you lasagna bolognese, mortadella, prosciutto and Parmigiano-Reggiano, among other delights. Cotechino is more of an acquired taste than those other mentions; it's made with pork meat, pork rind and spices such as nutmeg and clove, and then simmered on low heat for several hours,"

"All of it is a ritual in calling in abundance. The lentils are said to resemble ancient Roman coins. And since they expand and swell up as they cook, so will your bank account. Pork is also a symbol of prosperity, because without prosperity, you would not be able to afford the pork. Eating this dish, according to lore, paves the way for all your fantasies of a year dripping in wealth."

Umbrian lentils, small and brown like French lentils, are traditionally served with cotechino, a fatty pork sausage from Emilia-Romagna. Cotechino is made from pork meat, pork rind and spices such as nutmeg and clove, then simmered slowly until moist, tender and gelatinous. Lentils symbolize ancient Roman coins and swell during cooking, symbolizing expanding wealth; pork symbolizes prosperity because it implies the ability to afford meat. The dish is served at midnight on New Year's to invite abundance. Many people host New Year's Day gatherings to share lentils and cotechino with friends and family.

Read at Los Angeles Times