Gastro Nerd - Food Superstitions
Food superstitions
1 American folklore states that if a girl can't decide between two suitors, she should cook three chestnuts in a pan - one for her and two to represent her admirers. The first of the nuts representing the suitors to pop open will be theperson she marries, but if neither pops, she will
remain single. If her chestnut doesn't pop open, she will die before she's able to marry.
2 Black eyed peas supposedly bring good luck and fortune and are often eaten on New Year's Day to prepare for the year ahead.
3 The Chinese are also great believers in eating the right types of food at New Year. Serve chicken for prosperity and joy, oranges for instant wealth and health and noodles for a
long and happy life.
4 If you spill salt, take some in your right hand and throw it over your left shoulder. In the Middle Ages salt was a precious commodity; to spill it was likened to throwing away
money. By throwing the spilt salt over your left shoulder it was thought that it would fly into the devil's eyes and prevent him from seeing your stupidity and taking your soul. All heavy stuff for your average tub of Saxa.
5 Suffering from a head cold? Then, according to an old English superstition, you should boil potatoes in their skins and place them on your feet for relief! Continuing the potato theme, if you eat potato peelings (not the same ones
that were on your feet!) you can grow hair on your chest. Not one for the ladies.
6 In Greek tradition, bread is considered a gift from God. Origins of this belief stem from the Sermon on the Mount bible story in which Jesus fed thousands with bread and fish. Older village women make the sign of a cross over a
fresh loaf before slicing it and no bread is ever thrown away, as this is considered a sin.
7 English superstition states that when you've finished eating a boiled egg, you should push your spoon through the bottom of the empty shell to let the devil out. In the US, it is thought that once an egg is beaten, the shell should be broken up completely to stop witches setting sail in it and destroying ships at sea. Weird.
8 The custom of throwing rice at weddings goes back to the time when people thought rice to be a symbol of health and prosperity.
9 Romanians believe that if you leave food on your plate, you will have an ugly husband.
10 If you drop a knife on the floor, you should ask someone else to pick it up. Not just downright laziness, but a superstition that stems from the days of duelling when to attempt to retrieve your dropped sword would place your
opponent at an advantage.
