New Year's Around the World

I found these following  ways to celebrate the new year in a magazine many years ago.  No author was given.

To ensure a prosperous and healthy New Year, Americans in the south eat Hoppin 'John (a stew of black-eyed peas and rice).

In Mexico, a large fruit center piece graces the New Year's table.  At midnight, each guest eats 12 grapes, to welcome the 12 months of the new year.

In Switzerland, godparents traditionally inserted a coin into a Zupfe (a milk-bread load) and presented it to their godchildren for good luck in the new year.

In Germany, Karpfen (carp) is served whole; each guest removes a scale and keeps it for good luck.

In Brazil, eating pomegranates is a New Year's must. The Brazilians believe that the many seeds symbolize wealth for the future.

Italians eat Cotechino (rich pork sausage) with lentils, which are thought to resemble small coins. The more lentils one eats, the richer one will be in the new year.

Hungarians eat roast suckling pig-putting an apple in its mouth and a four-leaf clover in its snout for luck.

In a traditional Moroccan New Year celebration, Herbel (crushed wheat with milk) is eaten as a symbol of prosperity for the coming year.
Graif Mekhtamrine-a pancake that inflates when heated is also served. The bursting of the pancake symbolizes wealth and happiness.

In Greece, a coin is inserted through a small slit in the bottom of Vasilopita (New Year's bread).  The bread is sliced at midnight, and the person who finds the coin has luck for the coming year.