2022 is quickly coming to an end—this year sure has flown by! Whether you’re ready for 2023 or not, a new year brings a certain sense of excitement. There’s nothing better than that feeling of a clean slate and a fresh start. Of course, you’ll want to make the most of this new beginning, and some good luck will help with that. 

Southern tradition claims that a special New Year’s supper will bring you luck throughout the whole year. Certain foods like greens, cornbread, pork, and black eyed peas represent different elements of good fortune that we’d all love to gain in 2023. As you plan your New Year’s Day dinner menu, incorporate some of these classic Southern foods. Who knows? Maybe you’ll end up with a year of good luck thanks to your meal!

Greens 

Greens symbolize folding money, and collard greens specifically are traditionally included in the New Year’s dinner. Some say that the more collards you eat on New Year’s Day, the more prosperous you’ll be that year. It’s worth a shot, right? And you can’t go wrong by starting the New Year off with a healthy serving of vitamin-rich collard greens. Here at WP Rawl, we’re big fans of collards and have plenty of recipes to inspire your menu, from brothy collard greens soup to collard greens stuffing to heart smart boiled collards. 

Peas & Beans 

Peas and beans are representative of coins or wealth. Similar to collard greens, the more you eat, the more you’ll prosper. Black eyed peas are the traditional Southern dish to make for New Year’s Day, but you could mix it up by using lentils or black beans instead. 

Pork 

Because the pig forages in a forward direction, pork is viewed as a symbol for moving forward in the New Year. Pork chops or pulled pork would make an excellent main dish for your supper, but we also suggest adding some ham or bacon to your collard greens or black eyed peas. It could be a way to double your luck! 

Cornbread 

Due to its yellow color and the resemblance between corn kernels and coins, cornbread represents gold in Southern lore. Serving cornbread with your meal is meant to bring even more wealth and good fortune in the New Year. And it’s just a necessary addition to any good Southern meal! 

So, now that you know the meaning behind the elements of the traditional New Year’s supper, it’s time to start creating a menu of your own. We’ll leave you with some recipes to help you get started! And as you enter 2023, we wish you plenty of luck, prosperity, and good fortune.