A Greek tradition is to eat 12 grapes … one grape for each stroke on the countdown to midnight. Or one grape for each month of the year and if your second one is a bit sour, February could be a less than perfect month in the coming year.

Legumes including beans, peas, and lentils resembles coins as they swell when cooked, thus symbolizing wealth in the coming year. Cooked cabbage, kale, collards and chard are also eaten for the same reason; the green leaves symbolize folded money. So it is believed the more greens you eat the greater your fortune in the coming year.

Here’s a Corned Beef and Cabbage recipe that is a popular New Year’s Day tradition in our area. We add a dime while cooking and who ever gets the dime will have extra luck in the coming year … Just make sure you don’t swallow it!

Prep Time: 10 Min
Cook Time: 2 Hrs 25 Min
Ready In: 2 Hrs 35 Min

Ingredients:
3 pounds Corned Beef Brisket with spice packet
10 small Red Potatoes
5 Carrots, peeled and cut into 3-inch pieces
1 large head Cabbage, cut into small wedges

Directions:
* Place corned beef in large pot or Dutch oven and cover with water.
* Add the spice packet that came with the corned beef.
* Cover pot and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
* Simmer approximately 50 minutes per pound or until tender.
* Add whole potatoes and carrots, and cook until the vegetables are almost tender.
* Add cabbage and cook for 15 more minutes.
* Remove meat and let rest 15 minutes.
* Place vegetables in a bowl and cover.
* Add as much broth (cooking liquid reserved in the Dutch oven or large pot) as you want.
* Slice meat across the grain when serving.

We wish you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year!