New Year's Food, Southern Style

From 1999 to 2019 I spent nearly every New Year’s Eve and the following day surrounded by my family and closest friends, a tradition started by my parents and their best friends, the Shamis. The gatherings were filled with love, laughter, Jello shots and an epic fireworks display that, in my opinion, rivaled Disney’s. After a midnight kiss, everyone would crash on an air mattress or in neighbors’ guest rooms, buzzing with the infectious joy of the night.

The next day, we’d rise and gather again for the end of the party, a New Year’s Day lunch—where each dish carried special symbolism and was served specifically to bring good fortune, health and prosperity for the coming year. 

Black-eyed peas: Often considered the centerpiece of a Southern New Year’s meal, black-eyed peas symbolize good luck and prosperity. Their round shape represents coins and eating them is said to ensure success in the year ahead.

Collard greens: A leafy staple, collard greens represent wealth. Their green color is reminiscent of cash, and it’s believed that the more greens you eat, the more financial stability you’ll  find in the new year.

Cornbread: With its golden hue, cornbread is said to represent gold. This comforting dish allows you to "eat gold" and manifest abundance for the year ahead.

When the annual tradition ended in 2019 after 20 wonderful years, I found myself longing for those familiar days. Cooking and celebrating with my chosen family had become such a defining part of my life, and I missed the connection it fostered at the start of each year. I was chatting with my friend and creative partner Amanda Rosenblatt about holiday traditions when she encouraged me to restart the New Year’s festivities at my own house. She mentioned she could make latkes, and I knew I had a plan. So, January 1, 2024, I decided to keep the tradition alive by hosting my own version of the New Year’s Day lunch I loved so much as a kid, which was dubbed Latke Luck.

We merged our traditions, blending Southern staples like black-eyed peas, mac and cheese, cornbread and collard greens with Amanda’s crisp, golden latkes. These aren’t traditionally served on New Year’s Day, but they’re a perfect blend of the culture and tradition I wanted to foster at Latke Luck. I invited friends and family to my house to share the food, the stories
behind the recipes, drinks, laughter and more.

Latke Luck became more than just friends and food. It was truly a chance to reflect on the highs and lows of the past year and to manifest hopes and dreams for the new one, just like the New Year’s Day party did for my family and me when I was a kid. That day, we celebrated the beautiful blend of friends, family and community. I can’t wait to continue this new tradition,
which feels like a natural evolution of the rituals that have shaped me, for years and years to come.