Happy New Year!

I just finished listening to Foodstuff‘s episode on New Year’s food traditions, which I found fascinating particularly because I could identify some traditions I grew up with. Eating 12 grapes at midnight for good luck in the following 12 months is a fairly widespread tradition in the country, and my family has definitely partaken in the ritual many times. I also learned that one my family’s traditions (eating mochi on New Year’s Day) actually comes from a Japanese tradition.

As far as I know there are no traditional Peruvian dishes that are eaten this time of the year. Growing up, my family’s New Year’s Eve dinner was always pork or chicken stuffed with prunes, etc. (store-bought) served with Russian-style salad, applesauce and rice. New Year’s Day lunch was my favourite meal ever. My aunties made nishime (a Japanese chicken and vegetable stew) and we ate fresh mochi that my aunties bought at a nearby market. Happy days.

A non-food related tradition in Peru is to wear yellow (particularly underwear) for good luck. Needless to say, I’ve never been fond of this tradition.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2018!