New Year Tradition 2

In the past, I’ve told you the cultural significance of various foods served on New Year’s Day in Hawaii, cultural remnants of many residents’ Japanese heritage.

Here are a few more: 

Konbu maki (kelp rolls): These rolls of kelp filled with pork, salmon, chicken, or other foodstuffs are tied with strips of kampyo (gourd strips) and represent happiness. Why? Because the Japanese word meaning “to be happy” is yorokobu, and konbu is sometimes called “kobu.” 

Kuri Kinton (sweet potato paste with chestnuts): Because this dish is golden in color, it reminds us of gold itself, which was made into oval gold coins known as koban. Therefore, the Japanese regard kuri kinton as a dish that heralds prosperity. 

Renkon (lotus root): When peeled and cut into wheels, the root reveals a pattern of holes, which in Japanese culture represents the ability to see into the future. I love the crunchiness of the root when it is cooked in nishime (a vegetable stew).

Tazukuri (sardine fry): Back in the early days of medieval Japan, the fry of sardines (the little baby fish) were used as fertilizer for plantings in rice paddies, providing nourishment for the crop. Consequently, tazukuri has come to represent a wish for a rich harvest.

The best part? They’re all delicious!