While you're listening to the band and the clock is striking 12, you'll want to open all of the doors and windows to let out any bad luck that has made your house its home over the last year. You don't have to leave them open long. It helps if you make some loud noises to hasten bad luck and perhaps even the Devil, rumor has it he doesn't like loud sounds, out of the house. 

It's morning, a new day, and a New Year. Let's make sure to start it off right by shouting out first thing, "Rabbit, rabbit." Folklore holds that rabbits bring good luck and by making these the first words you speak for the new month or New Year, you'll have it the whole month/year long.

Time to begin working on the menu for the day. A traditional meal will include ham or some other type of pork, black-eyed peas or another bean or pea, and greens, which could be collards or cabbage. Each of these is very important in order to have good luck in the coming year.

Pork is on the menu because a hog is always rooting forward – it doesn't dig or scratch backward like a chicken or stand still like cattle. Black-eyed peas or lentils look like small coins and grow when cooked, just like one hopes a financial nest egg will increase in value. Greens also symbolize economic fortune and resemble folding money or greenbacks. 

To help you get started with your meal preparations, we're sharing a recipe from one of our favorite cookbook authors, Sheri Castle: 

Southern Skillet Greens 

1 1/2 lb. quick-cooking greens, tough stems removed and leaves thinly sliced
2 thick bacon slices, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch strips
1 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil, if needed
1 small onion, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
2 teaspoon granulated sugar or firmly packed light brown sugar
1 small dried hot chili or 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt and ground black pepper, to taste
Hot pepper vinegar, for serving
 
Fill a large bowl with ice water. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt per cup of water. Add the greens and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon or strainer to immediately transfer the greens into the ice water to stop the cooking and set the color. Drain well and squeeze out as much water as possible. Use the cooked greens soon or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
 
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until it renders its fat and is crispy, stirring often, about 10 minutes. If the bacon does not render at least 2 tablespoons fat, stir in the olive oil. Stir in the onion and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic, sugar and chili and cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. (The whole chili will give mild heat and can be discarded before serving. Crushed flakes are a commitment to heat, but the amount can be adjusted to taste.)
 
Add the greens and cook, tossing with tongs, until glossy and warmed through, 3 to 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm with hot pepper vinegar on the side. Serves 4.

You can find more of her recipes in her The New Southern Garden Cookbook and Sheri's newest release The Southern Living Community Cookbook. 

Wishing you and your family a very happy and prosperous New Year!