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Hungarian New Year’s Eve: What do we eat and why?
As Hungarians bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, the dinner table becomes a focal point of tradition and superstition. Food plays a central role in Hungary’s New Year celebrations, with each dish chosen not only for its taste but also for the luck and prosperity it is believed to bring in the year ahead.
A glimpse into what we eat and drink:
Lentils for wealth
One of the most iconic New Year’s foods in Hungary is lentil soup or dishes made from lentils (like stew). The small, coin-shaped legumes symbolise wealth and financial success in the coming year. Many families make a hearty lentil stew, sometimes flavoured with smoked sausage or pork, to ensure their pockets (and their bellies) are full.
Pork for progress
Hungarians often include pork on the New Year’s menu because pigs symbolise progress. Unlike chickens, which scratch backwards (and can fly away!), pigs root forward, representing moving ahead in life (and also don’t fly away). Popular dishes include roasted pork, sausages, or pork knuckle, often paired with sauerkraut or other traditional sides.
Fish for abundance
Fish also frequently appear on festive tables. Carp and other freshwater fish symbolise abundance and fertility, with the scales representing coins and wealth. While carp is more commonly associated with Christmas, some families extend this tradition into New Year’s Eve as a symbol of continuity and prosperity.
Cabbage for luck and longevity
Cabbage, especially in the form of stuffed cabbage rolls or sauerkraut, is considered a bringer of good luck. Its tightly packed leaves represent unity and protection for the household. Some recipes are even prepared with a touch of caraway seeds, believed to ward off misfortune.
Sweet treats for a sweet year
No New Year’s Eve celebration is complete without sweet pastries. Hungarian families often enjoy cakes, strudels, or ring-shaped pastries, symbolising the circle of life and continuity. Poppy seeds are especially popular, as they are thought to bring fertility and abundance.
Champagne and toasts
As the clock strikes midnight, Hungarians raise a glass of champagne or sparkling wine, often accompanied by the clinking of glasses and wishes for a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. The tradition underscores the importance of starting the year with joy, unity, and hope.
Superstitions and rituals
Beyond food, New Year’s Eve in Hungary is filled with small customs and superstitions. Some avoid eating chicken to prevent setbacks, while others ensure that the first guest after midnight is lucky. Many families also keep coins or small trinkets on the table to attract wealth.
From lentils to pork, fish to pastries, Hungarian New Year’s foods reflect a blend of culinary tradition, symbolism, and superstition. For locals and visitors, understanding these customs offers a delicious insight into Hungary’s rich cultural heritage, and perhaps a little luck for the year ahead.