It’s December 31st, and after eating all that turkey, we at twohungryblokes have certainly stretched our waistlines. For better or worse, there are still leftovers. Well, maybe. That depends on whether the cook in the family wants to turn what’s remaining into ground meat for tacos, or something else. But on the day to have a pre-New Year’s Feast, there’ are plenty of other options which seem traditional for today.

But before you go picking up that “Luxury Seafood Platter” from the local grocer, there may be some superstitions to be aware of. That’s assuming you’re one of those types who want good fortune ahead. While this practice is more prominent in other cultures, I got reminded because Granny said so. Thankfully, I’m not one of those types to believe, but it left me with food for thought. According to specific folklore, your choice of appetizers could be the difference between a 2026 spent in a Ferrari or a 2026 spent living in a tent in Algonquin Park.

The Lobster Trap: Moving Backward in the Maritimes

Here’s the thing. For those without the allergy, we love lobster. It’s fancy, it’s buttery, and it makes you look like a high-roller. I love them, but since they are not legally available to fish, the only way around is to be stranded on a desert island or go live in New Zealand. Restrictions aside, there are individuals who can go getting them, but they are indigenous people or from cultures that have no fears. In other countries, especially Austria, and the Southern United States, folklore experts (and very superstitious grandmothers) say eating lobster at midnight is a one-way ticket to a rubbish year.

The Logic: A lobster swims backward when it’s spooked. If you eat it on January 1st, you’re essentially telling the universe, “Yes, please! I’d love to regress in my career and repeat all my mistakes from last year.” The Canadian Irony: This is especially tough for our mates out East. Imagine being in Nova Scotia and being told you can’t eat the local gold because it might mess with your “momentum.” It’s a cruel, cruel world.

The “Bottom Feeder,” Blues

Then there’s the shrimp. We’ve seen them marketed everywhere this week—shrimp rings are basically the unofficial mascot of New Year’s Eve parties. They may well be sold in droves because everybody craves a cocktail dip. They are delicious, and as for how they feel, well…. They do not have have limited intelligence to make a mass migration to hide, but in some parts of the world, allegedly the deep South and Eastern Europe, shrimp are safe. The only whales are those with deep appetities!

They are considered “scavengers.” The old-school belief is that if you start the year eating things that scrounge in the mud for scraps, you’ll spend the rest of the year… well, scrounging for scraps. Not exactly the “year of abundance” we were hoping for when we hit the LCBO.

The “Chicken” Scratch & The Great White North Rule

Not even these fowls are safe. Anyone considering grabbing a bucket of Korean Fried or Kentucky might get scolded by Granny if their heritage is from the Deep South. Chicken is a massive “no-no” because birds scratch backward in the dirt to find food. If you eat a bird on New Year’s, you’re apparently “scratching for a living” for the next 12 months.

The Canadian Exception: However, if you’re in Quebec, you’re likely ignoring all of this for a Tourtière. Since it’s packed with pork and beef (animals that push forward), you’re technically safe. But if there’s pheasant or turkey in that pie? Well, don’t come crying to us when your car breaks down in February.

The Midnight Herring (The “Smelly” Good Luck)

If you’ve got family from the Prairies or roots in Northern Europe, you might be familiar with the Midnight Herring. Some may choose to eat a piece of pickled herring exactly at the stroke of midnight. And if the folklore is true, the future will be rich. That’s because they are “rich” in silver, because their scales. And because they swim in massive schools, they represent “abundance.” It’s a bold move for a first kiss of the year, mind you. You’d better hope your partner is eating it too, or that New Year’s snog is going to be a very short one.

So, What’s Actually Safe for a Bloke to Eat?

If we can’t have lobster, crab, or chicken, what’s left? Basically, you want animals that route forward. These ideas come from research from Serious Eats and Good Housekeeping, pinpointing their origins was not tough. Apparently, swine is safe. Because pigs use their snouts to root forward into the earth, the motion bears good news. This is why Peameal Bacon or a nice ham roast is the ultimate “progress” food. Also, fish is safe. Their forward motion signals good fortune. Just make sure they aren’t the kind that sit on the bottom of the tank looking depressed. Lentils and greens are terrific because they look like coins and folded up greenbacks, 

The Verdict

Is this all a bit mental? Absolutely. Is it ironic that the most expensive “luxury” foods are the ones that supposedly bring the worst luck? One hundred percent. Although nothing came up in our research about caviar, not everyone enjoys this food of the gods. But look, we’re two hungry blokes. If you put a lobster thermidor in front of us at 11:59 PM, we’re probably going to eat it and just hope the “backward luck” only applies to our gym attendance.