In Italy's New Year's Eve tradition, lentils are eaten as a symbol of prosperity.
Their round, coin-like shape links lentils with money and abundance. Many Italian families serve them around midnight or on New Year's Day, often alongside cotechino, a cooked pork sausage, or zampone, a stuffed pig's trotter. The meal expresses a wish for financial well-being in the coming year.
Pork carries its own symbolism in the tradition. Because pigs root forward and are associated with abundance, pork dishes are often viewed as favorable New Year foods. Recipes and serving times vary by region and household.
The lentil custom is not a rule observed identically throughout Italy. Regional cuisines include different dishes, and modern celebrations may combine the traditional meal with parties, fireworks, and public concerts. The key association is the lentil's resemblance to small coins.