In Italian New Year's Eve celebrations, lentils are commonly eaten as a symbol of prosperity.
Their small, round shape is traditionally compared with coins, so eating lentils is associated with hopes for wealth in the coming year. They are often served with cotechino, a seasoned pork sausage, or with zampone, a stuffed pig's trotter. The rich meal is especially associated with the transition from December 31 to January 1.
Cotechino and zampone are traditional foods from northern Italy, particularly linked with Emilia-Romagna and nearby areas. Their presence alongside lentils gives the meal both symbolic and culinary importance. Regional menus vary, so not every Italian household prepares the same dish.
The lentils are a good-luck food, not a countdown object. Unlike Spain's twelve grapes, the Italian tradition does not depend on eating a fixed number at each clock chime. The symbolism comes mainly from the lentils' coin-like appearance and their association with abundance.