Buon anno!
We did it—we stepped into 2025! Here in Tuscany, we welcomed the new year in true Italian style, filled with traditions and a sprinkle of superstition.
In Italy, we have a saying: “What you do on New Year’s Eve will be done all year round.” It’s our way of reminding ourselves to start off on the right foot because day one is the model for the next 364.
New Year’s Eve is a mix of rituals, good-luck gestures, and symbolic acts—small ways to bring a little magic to the unknown of the upcoming year. Here are a few:
- Dressing in red for good fortune.
- Wearing something old for continuity and something new for fresh beginnings.
- Tossing out old or broken items to make room for the new.
- Eating grapes, a symbol of abundance and joy.
And, of course, the food plays a starring role!
No Italian New Year table is complete without cotechino (a rich, seasoned pork sausage) e lenticchie (lentils). Why? Because fat symbolizes abundance, and lentils—long associated with fertility—represent coins. The belief goes that the more lentils you eat on New Year’s Eve, the more wealth you’ll earn in the coming year.
This tradition dates back to ancient Rome when people would give bags of lentils as gifts, hoping they’d transform into coins.
This dish brings Italians together, from north to south, which is not an easy task when it comes to food! While I happily pass on the cotechino, I’ve never missed a bowl of lentils since I can remember celebrating the New Year.
If you’d like to give my lentil soup recipe a try, you can find it here.
The night always ends with a toast for good luck and fireworks to drive away negativity. While I don’t rely on these superstitions, with the illusion of controlling the uncontrollable, I love honoring traditions. They remind me of where we come from and how we hope for the future.
As we begin 2025, I want to thank you for being part of my journey. Whether we’ve shared a recipe, a laugh, or simply a love for good food, I’m so grateful for your presence.
Let’s make 2025 delicious, abundant, and full of joy!
Buon anno e tanti auguri!
Chicca