This is it!!!

The last day of 2025!

It’s been a year... hoo boy, has it ever!

Let’s hope 2026 is a better year for all of us!

Now the ‘important’ part is the food tomorrow night. The following depends on where you are in the world...

Southern US

• Black-Eyed Peas: Represent coins and abundance. Alternate is Hoppin’ John which is a combination of black-eyed peas, rice, and ham plus spices.

• Collard Greens: Symbolize cash and financial prosperity.

• Cornbread: Represents gold.

• Pork: Symbolizes progress.

Asian Traditions

• Long Noodles: Represent longevity; should not be broken.

• Dumplings: Shaped like ancient Chinese gold/silver ingots to represent wealth.

• Fish (Whole): Symbolizes surplus and abundance.

• Rice Cakes (Nian Gao/Ozoni): Represent prosperity, progress, and improvement.

• Spring Rolls: Symbolize wealth.

Global Traditions

• Pork/Sauerkraut: Common in German and Eastern European traditions for good luck and progress.

• Grapes: In Spain, eating 12 grapes at midnight represents 12 lucky months.

• Lentils: Popular in Italy as they resemble coins.

• Ring-Shaped Cakes: Doughnuts or bundt cakes are often served to symbolize coming full circle.

This is the Southern Living recipe for Hoppin’ John from HERE. It will feed quite a few folks...

Ingredients

• 6 thick-cut bacon slices, chopped

• 4 celery stalks, sliced (about 1 1/2 cups)

• 1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)

• 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped (about 1 cup)

• 3 garlic cloves, chopped (about 1 Tbsp.)

• 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme

• 1/2 tsp. black pepper

• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

• 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided

• 8 cups lower-sodium chicken broth

• 4 cups fresh or frozen black-eyed peas

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil

• 1 1/2 cups uncooked Carolina Gold rice

• Fresh scallions, sliced

However you choose, enjoy the evening and ring in the new year!!!