Lentils are associated with prosperity in Italy's New Year's Eve tradition because their round, coin-like shape symbolizes money.
Italian New Year's Eve meals commonly include lentils, often served with cotechino or zampone, two traditional pork products. The dish is linked to wishes for wealth and abundance in the coming year. Lentils expand as they cook, which also supports their association with growing prosperity.
Cotechino is a seasoned pork sausage, while zampone is a similar preparation traditionally stuffed into a pig's trotter. Regional menus vary, and not every Italian household serves the same foods, but lentils are among the most widely recognized New Year's symbols in Italy.
The tradition is sometimes described as an ancient Roman custom, although modern practices developed through layers of Italian regional and culinary history. Lentils are not eaten as a prescribed number, unlike Spain's twelve grapes tradition, which is a separate New Year's Eve custom.