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TRADITIONS OF THE NEW YEAR ....
" Pigs Root Forward "
There is Latin inscription on the great clock of Münster cathedral a painting depicting pig butchering under the great clock of the Münster cathedral everybody rejoices when November kills it's pig," .
Pork has always been a cultural touchstone in Germany and Eastern European countries or any pork loving cultures. Peasants who raised pigs slaughtered them in the fall, in part because it's a good food safety practice to embark upon the time-consuming task of butchering a large animal when it's cold outside. The weeks following the slaughter afforded more fresh cuts of pork than the preserved hams and sausages relied upon otherwise, and a family could plan ahead and reserve a choice cut of pork for New Year's Day.
As for the sauerkraut, the fall likewise was the height of cabbage harvesting, and thus the shredding and fermenting pounds and pounds of it to preserve as sauerkraut. To get cabbage nice and sour in a crock it can take six to eight weeks to get nice and sour. If a batch of kraut is started in late October with designs on New Year's Day feasting. The timing is too perfect, as is the culinary pairing of a rich & fatty fresh pork butt or shoulder & the tart and lean sauerkraut.
see ... https://www.seriouseats.com/homemade-fermented-sauerkraut-recipe.
Pork is a celebratory dish in any pork-loving culture.
"Pigs relentlessly root ahead as they eat, as opposed to the backwards scratching of chickens and turkeys.
Eating Pork on New Years Day is considered a
Symbol of Progress."
From the past year, we are expected take life lessons & learn from them and thereby Grow. Not dwell on what we did wrong or what didn't go right but Learn their Learns & MOVE Forward into the New Year.
As for sauerkraut well ... the long shreds of kraut are thought to symbolize a long life. And then there's the whole cabbage-green-money connection, even though American paper money hasn't always been green.
The New Year is a time for Reflection, Planning & Hope as we move Forward into a new & exciting New Year 2024.
This Year I will be focusing on what ... We the People Value ....
These Traditions many of which involve foods are what strengthen us as individuals, as families, & communities.
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