Lentils (Lenticchie) /lehn-tee-keeay/
Lentils are little round flat legumes, often used in soup or stew. Popular Italian tradition has it that since the lentil shape resembles a coin, eating it on New Year’s Eve or Day guarantees good health and prosperity all year long. It is common in Italy to eat dishes containing lenticchie on New Year’s Eve.
Can’t or don’t want to cook up a lentil stew? Nessun problema — carrying a bag of lentils while crossing the threshold to your casa also symbolizes prosperity in the coming year!
Prospero anno nuovo! (Prosperous new year!)
