Fortunate foods: Eating for luck in the new year

It's traditional in many cultures to eat particular foods thought to bring you luck in the coming new year.

Here are some of these "fortunate" foods: 

Bagels and doughnuts

When eaten at breakfast, ring shaped foods signify coming full circle into a new year.  

Black-eyed peas, lentils

Well known in the southern United States as a New Year's tradition, Hoppin' John is made with pork, black-eyed peas and rice . 

Grapes

In Spain and Portugal, it is common to quickly eat 12 grapes at midnight, to symbolize the 12 months of a new year. 

Greens 

Tradition says that eating your greens at the beginning of a new year, including spinach, kale, collards, lettuce, etc., will ensure a healthy and fortunate future.  

Pomegranate

According to bonappetit.com, "in Greece, when the new year turns, a pomegranate is smashed on the floor in front of the door to break it open and reveal seeds symbolizing prosperity and good fortune. The more seeds, the more luck."

Pork

In many cultures, pigs represent prosperity and progress. It really doesn't matter if its bacon, sausage, ham, ham hocks, ribs or pork tenderloin, just pork out on New Year's Day and ensure a prosperous year.

Soba (buckwheat) noodles

In Japan, Soba noodles symbolize long life, but only if you can eat them without breaking them. So, slurp to your good fortune this new year!