New Year's Eve: Good Luck Food Traditions Around the World

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Oliebollen - Netherlands

Oliebollen ('oil balls') are small doughnuts which usually contain currants or raisins and are deep fried in oil. They are prepared in the Netherlands for New Year's Eve, supposedly since the times of the early Germanic tribes who used fatty foods as a defense against the pagan goddess Perchta. Legend has it that she would fly over at this time of year with evil spirits, trying to cut through the stomachs of anyone she encountered. But the fat in the oliebollen would cause her sword to slide off the body, thus protecting whomever had eaten the pastries. If that's not a good legend, we don't know what is!

Hungry for more? Check out the ultimate list of lucky foods to celebrate Chinese New Year.