2014

     A new year is upon us.  I'd like to thank all my readers as I commence with the third year of "Home, Home on the Range."  I'm looking forward to exploring the rich culinary diversity of our planet and reporting my research to all of you.  Hopefully 2014 will continue to provide both enjoyment and enlightenment for us all.
                                                                                                                                        Vinny

     It's a well established tradition around here to begin the new year with a meal of pork and sauerkraut.  That's what the Pennsylvania Dutch do.  Folklore says that it will bring good luck for the coming months, perhaps because the pig, when rooting for food, moves forward.  Conversely, it is considered bad luck to begin with year with a meal of poultry since the chicken moves backward when scratching the ground.

     Other cultures have differing traditions, however.  In Italy, Brazil and Germany the first meal of the year contains lentils, in the belief that consuming them will bring prosperity.  The circular shape of the lentil is thought to resemble coins.  In China there are also certain foods eaten on New Year's Day to promote good fortune and longevity.  A meal of long noodles is thought to lengthen one's life and preparing and eating a whole fish will ensure abundance, since the two words are very similar.

     In the Southern US a popular dish for New Year's is hoppin john, a combination of black eyed peas and rice, often served with golden hued cornbread.  The tradition in Spain is to begin the new year by eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight.

     Whatever tradition you follow, good nutrition and good fortune seem to go hand in hand.  the better you eat, the better your life will be.  Here's to a healthy and happy New Year!