What is the traditional New Year's Eve midnight meal in Italy that includes lentils for prosperity?

Cotechino and lentils are the traditional Italian New Year's Eve midnight meal associated with prosperity.

Cotechino is a slowly cooked Italian pork sausage, traditionally made with pork meat and rind and seasoned with spices. It is commonly served with lentils on New Year's Eve, especially in northern and central Italian culinary traditions. The dish is hearty and suited to a winter celebration.

Lentils are linked symbolically with coins because of their small, round shape. Eating them at the turn of the year is therefore believed to encourage wealth and abundance in the coming months. Cotechino represents a substantial festive food, while the lentils carry much of the prosperity symbolism.

Zampone, a stuffed pig's trotter, is a close Italian New Year's alternative and is often served with lentils too. That similarity can cause confusion, but the named pairing most commonly identified with the tradition is cotechino and lentils. Recipes, seasoning, and serving times differ by region and household.