Are you tired of New Year’s resolutions that involve exercise, eating kale, or other forms of self-inflicted suffering? Here’s a better idea: fire up your crockpot and let lentils do all the work of bringing you luck and prosperity. Yes, lentils.
Around Latin America, from Chile to Mexico, it’s a tradition to eat a traditional lentil soup on New Year’s Day. Why? Because these little legumes are believed to hold magical powers that can attract money, success, and, hopefully, a bigger kitchen to cook all those lentils in.
RELATED POST: Frida Kahlo’s NYE Resolutions: “New year, new life.”
But wait, you ask: who decided that lentils, of all things, were the pantry’s bearer of all things wealth? After digging into the history of this tiny New Year’s treat, it turns out we may have the Italians to thank.
The History of Lucky Lentils
To understand why lentils are considered lucky, we have to time-travel back to the Greeks and Romans. According to foodies and historians around the globe, lentils were among the first foods prepared by humans. That alone gave them an elevated status in ancient times.
As the folks at NatureVia put it:
“Lentils were among the first foods to be cultivated by humans, making them highly valued in ancient Greek and Roman cultures.”
But their legend really took off in Italy during the Middle Ages, where they weren’t just food. They were symbols of wealth. Why? Because they’re round, smooth, and vaguely resemble coins. Italians began pairing them with sausages, and the tradition became so popular that it spread to Spain and, eventually, Latin America.
Today, lentils are prepared in all sorts of ways — stewed, braised, simmered — with each region adding its own twist. In Chile, lentil soup is served with pan amasado (a heavenly bread made with lard), while in Mexico, it’s paired with tamales or even menudo (a soup made from tripe and hominy).
Pocket Full of Lentils: Colombia’s Unique Twist
Lentils aren’t always eaten to bring good luck. “The belief is that putting lentils in pockets or any other place you’d like to see money will bring you wealth,” the Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) writes.
For example, in Colombia, eating lentils isn’t the only way to harness their magical powers. Instead of simmering them into soup, Colombians prefer to keep them uncooked — right in their pockets. Yes, you read that correctly.
According to Colombian Astrologer Paola Jimenez, at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, Colombians fill their pockets with lentils to symbolize prosperity. But there’s a catch:
- Someone has to give you the lentils.
- They must give them to you with their right hand (symbolizing giving money).
- You must receive them with your left hand (symbolizing receiving money).
But Colombians are not alone with their uncooked lentil tradition. Around Mexico, some throw lentils over their heads to be showered in good luck for the new year. Sounds odd, but hey, who am I to judge a tradition that promises to bring wealth and happiness?
A Ritual for Every Country
While Colombians and Mexicans embrace the tactile approach, Chileans go for speed. As midnight strikes, they shovel a spoonful of lentils into their mouths, believing it guarantees a year filled with work and money. Meanwhile, in Peru, the lentil tradition comes with an entire recipe for good luck
“A Peruvian ‘recipe’ for a fantastic year-to-come is as follows: on December 31, purchase some lentils, some wheat, some limes, and some cinnamon sticks,” Kuoda Travel explains. “Halve the limes and place them in the four corners of your house to ward off negative energy. Fill your pockets with the lentils, cinnamon sticks, and wheat: the lentils and wheat bring prosperity, and the cinnamon brings love.
Can Lentils Really Change Your Fortune?
By now, you might be wondering: do lentils actually work? Well, that depends on how you define “work.” If nothing else, lentils are packed with nutrients and taste delicious. But for those of us who want more, here’s a recipe that blends luck, tradition, and flavor in one hearty bowl. Try my Puerto Rican friend’s, Kevin Santiago’s, famous lentil soup recipe. It’s a great place to start.
Kevin Santiago’s Famous Lentil Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
1 pound dried lentils
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
7.9 ounce-package cubed chorizo (Palacios Iberico Chorizo)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Rinse the lentils and remove any debris. Then soak the lentils, in room temperature water, for about 30 minutes. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion is translucent.
Add the carrots and celery and cook for 5 minutes. Drain the lentils. Then add the lentils, cumin, oregano, bay leaf, broth, and chorizo. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the lentils are tender.
Remove the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot with your favorite bread or crackers.
