At New Year's Eve celebrations in Italy, lentils are traditionally eaten as a symbol of wealth.
The custom is based partly on the coin-like shape of lentils. As they swell while cooking, they are also associated with increasing abundance. A classic Italian New Year's meal pairs lentils with cotechino, a large seasoned pork sausage, or with zampone, a sausage mixture traditionally stuffed into a pig's trotter.
The dish is commonly served after midnight or during the New Year's meal, depending on the household and region. Pork has its own auspicious associations in several Italian traditions, including ideas of richness and moving forward. The exact menu varies, so not every Italian family follows the same combination.
Lentils are not an exclusively Italian New Year's food. Similar prosperity customs appear in other countries, including parts of South America and the southern United States. Italy's particularly recognizable pairing is lentils with cotechino or zampone.