Lentils are the traditional Italian New Year's Eve food that symbolizes wealth and good fortune.
Their round, coin-like shape is commonly linked with money, so eating lentils at the turn of the year is thought to invite prosperity. They are often served after midnight or as part of the New Year's meal, frequently alongside cotechino or zampone, types of seasoned pork associated with abundance.
The custom is especially prominent in Italian food traditions, but the exact menu varies by region and family. Lentils are not a universal New Year's dish in every Italian household, and the symbolism is cultural rather than a guarantee of financial success.
The association between legumes and prosperity is also found in other countries' New Year's customs. What distinguishes the Italian tradition is the familiar pairing of lentils with pork products and the interpretation of each lentil as a small coin.