Lentils are commonly eaten in Italy on New Year's Eve as a symbol of wealth and prosperity.
Their small, round shape is traditionally compared with coins, so eating them is thought to invite financial abundance in the coming year. Lentils are frequently served with cotechino or zampone, rich pork dishes associated with the holiday meal.
The custom belongs to a wider set of Italian New Year's traditions, many of which use food or clothing to express hopes for good fortune. Regional practices differ, so not every Italian family celebrates in exactly the same way.
Lentils are sometimes confused with rice because both are small staple foods and can symbolize prosperity in different cultures. In the Italian New Year's Eve context, however, lentils are the established food associated with coins and money.