“Anno Nuovo, Vita Nuovo” is the greeting that is traditionally exchanged at midnight!

New Year’s Eve in Italy also goes by many names, one of which is La Festa di San Silvestro and in Italy normally huge dinners are the norm along with many other traditions. Some Italians rent houses in the countryside to celebrate with a group of family and friends or they might all go out to a restaurant to bring in the new year.  While many will remain at home and celebrate with family while enjoying a traditional meal.  Lentils are the likely food to consume as lentils symbolize money and good fortune for the coming year.  That is served with a family version Cotechino; because the pig always moves in a forward motion, so more good luck.  And don’t forget to wear red underwear….so I always do!!  (Red, in Italy, has always been associated with power, health and fertility. Red is sort of a lucky charm.) Yes, I did read that somewhere the last time we were in Italy.

In our house we will celebrate with a Cotechino dinner that also consists of boiled cabbage, lentils and boiled potatoes.  All cooked in one pot! And pass around and sip from the Grolla, a custom. From my husband’s family.

An interesting happening in Sicily on the Eve, I am told, is that windows are opened just before midnight and there they get ready to toss out plates, glasses, and dishes. This is a symbolic gesture that is connected in a certain sense to letting go of the past and all that characterizes the old year while getting ready for the new. It is a custom, I am told, that has centuries-old roots and doing this is also believed to chase away evil spirits. Buon Capodanno is an old traditional greeting there!

However, you chose to celebrate you are wished a safe celebration.  May the new year bring you a peace filled life, warmth and togetherness with loved ones and much good health and prosperity.

We are at the ending point of 2025 and the perfect time to thank you for your support and friendship. I hope you have enjoyed ANCORA this last year and the stories and recipes. If you have a tradition you would like to share, we’d be happy to hear about them. Have a wonderful 2026. Stay healthy, wealthy, wise and safe!

Buon Anno Nuovo

Anita, Charlie and Family

LENTILS FOR NEW YEARS

½ Lb Lentils

2 Sprigs of Rosemary – optional

3 Cloves Garlic -peeled

1/3 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Cup Broth – Vegetable or chicken

Salt and Pepper and Garlic Powder – to taste

A Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes – for warmth, optional

Soak the lentils for I hour in cold water. Rinse and drain well two times.  Place in a 2-quart pot and cover with cold water.  Add the rosemary, if using, together with the garlic cloves.  Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes.  Drain and discard the rosemary.  Mince the garlic and add to heated olive oil in the pot and cook until you can smell the aroma but, be careful not to burn.  Cook over low heat.  Add the lentils back to the pot, with the broth, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and a little garlic powder (if you love garlic, like I do).  Stir well and add 1 tbs tomato paste, also optional.  Cook until most of the liquid has been absorbed about 20 minutes, adding more broth along the way if needed.  Adjust the seasonings. 

If you are serving the lentils with cotechino, while the cotechino is cooking, exchange some of that water to the lentils for a little more flavor.

Note: In traditional Italian families, as in Italy, Lentils are usually on the menu on either

New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. Lentils are perceived as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.  While the main accompaniment with lentils is usually Cotechino, many Italian families have their own favored dishes. But if you haven’t tried it with cotechino you are missing out on a delicious meal.

We boil a cotechino in water, adding cabbage edges and small peeled potatoes. The cotechino is sliced and served on a platter. The potatoes and cabbage in a large bowl. We manage a cabbage wedge and a potto per-person. We have a variety of mustards to accompany the meal. Traditionally we will have a gathering of friends ending with dessert and a sip from the Grolla.

Sending Best Wishes to you for a Happy and Healthy 2023!

LENTILS FOR NEW YEARS

½ Lb Lentils

2 Sprigs of Rosemary – optional

3 Cloves Garlic -peeled

1/3 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Cup Broth – Vegetable or chicken

Salt and Pepper and Garlic Powder – to taste

A Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes – for warmth, optional

Soak the lentils for I hour in cold water. Rinse and drain well two times.  Place in a 2-quart pot and cover with cold water.  Add the rosemary, if using, together with the garlic cloves.  Bring to a gentle boil and simmer for 15-20 minutes.  Drain and discard the rosemary.  Mince the garlic and add to heated olive oil in the pot and cook until you can smell the aroma but, be careful not to burn.  Cook over low heat.  Add the lentils back to the pot, with the broth, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and a little garlic powder (if you love garlic, like I do).  Stir well and add 1 tbs tomato paste, also optional.  Cook until most of the liquid has been absorbed about 20 minutes, adding more broth along the way if needed.  Adjust the seasonings. 

If you are serving the lentils with cotechino, while the cotechino is cooking, exchange some of that water to the lentils for a little more flavor.

Note: In traditional Italian families, as in Italy, Lentils are usually on the menu on either

New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day. Lentils are perceived as a symbol of good luck and prosperity.  While the main accompaniment with lentils is usually Cotechino, many Italian families have their own favored dishes. But if you haven’t tried it with cotechino you are missing out on a delicious meal.

We boil a cotechino in water, adding cabbage edges and small peeled potatoes. The cotechino is sliced and served on a platter. The potatoes and cabbage in a large bowl. We manage a cabbage wedge and a potto per-person. We have a variety of mustards to accompany the meal. Traditionally we will have a gathering of friends ending with dessert and a sip from the Grolla.

Sending Best Wishes to you for a Happy and Healthy 2026!