Why do people eat pork and sour kraut on New Years Day?!


Question: The German people who settled in the southern central parts of Pennsylvania in the early 1700's (some now called Pennsylvania Dutch) have traditionally eaten pork and kraut for New Years for good luck. Pork because they considered it "rooting" toward the new year. The old timers probably had an abundance of pork in December/January because pigs were usually butchered in late fall. Same with sauerkraut-late cabbage was prepared and probably ready to start eating around the same time. The tradition has spread to a lot of people outside of that area. In late 2007, the Great Lakes Kraut Co. announced that the demand for sauerkraut for New Years is at an all time high due to Internet buzz and the popularity of food programs on television promoting the tradition.


Answers: The German people who settled in the southern central parts of Pennsylvania in the early 1700's (some now called Pennsylvania Dutch) have traditionally eaten pork and kraut for New Years for good luck. Pork because they considered it "rooting" toward the new year. The old timers probably had an abundance of pork in December/January because pigs were usually butchered in late fall. Same with sauerkraut-late cabbage was prepared and probably ready to start eating around the same time. The tradition has spread to a lot of people outside of that area. In late 2007, the Great Lakes Kraut Co. announced that the demand for sauerkraut for New Years is at an all time high due to Internet buzz and the popularity of food programs on television promoting the tradition.

its good luck

For good luck? I haven't heard of that, but I've heard of eating black eyed peas for good luck on New Years.

sour ***** is good any day!

not sure about the kraut, but to eat pork, it is said that because the pig cannot walk backwards - only forwards - that it will bring good luck in the future.

it's for good luck people also eat
black eye peas
gumbo
lobster and crab legs
cabbage

It is said to signify Good Luck for the New Year





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