Of all the holidays, New Year's holds the greatest number of ancient superstitions and modern-day traditions. Undoubtedly, most have withstood the test of time because of their ties to food.
Southerners cling to the centuries-old belief that black-eyed peas bring good luck and prosperity for the upcoming year. This popular New Year's tradition supposedly owes its origins to Mississippi's own Vicksburg. Legend suggests that during the Civil War, Union troops destroyed the town's crops, leaving only black-eyed peas, then grown primarily as livestock feed.
However, the lowly field food then known as cowpeas quickly was embraced by the starving Southerners, who considered themselves lucky to have any food at all.
And then there's corn. Many Americans believe that corn bread eaten when the year is young brings gold, or in today's financial terms, money and prosperity in the months to come.
There's also the universal tale that says greens ensure money in the New Year. Here in the South, we're not picky - as long as the green leaves fold to resemble money, we'll have cabbage, collards or mustard greens bubbling on the back burner.
Across the Mason-Dixon, more discriminating northerners of German or Dutch descent insist on sauerkraut to secure their prosperity.
Then there's the humble pig. The custom of eating pork on New Year's is based on the idea that pigs mean progress. Because of its rich fat content, pork also signifies wealth and prosperity.
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