New Year celebrations - something different
How about seeing in the New Year in a different way?
Marzipan pigs with gold-foil chocolate coins in their mouths are a German tradition for the New Year. Heidelberg Pastry Shoppe, 2150 N. Culpeper St, Arlington, 703 527 8394, make them, while German imports are stocked by The German Deli, 1331 H St NW, 202 347 5732, The German Gourmet, 7185 Lee Highway, Falls Church, 703 534 1908, and Wine Beer & German Stuff, 7 Olney-Sandy Spring Rd, Ashton, 301 570 5573.
Greeks eat Basilopita at New Year, a circular bread flavored with lemon zest and almonds. Inside is buried a lucky coin. Order it from Stella's Bakery, 11510-D Rockville Pike, 301 231 9026, Asadur's Market, 5536 Randolph Rd, Rockville, 301 770 5558, and Thomas Market, 2650 University Blvd West, Wheaton, 301 942 0839.
In the Lebanon, New Year is celebrated with stuffed lamb, and Moghli, a spicy, creamy rice pudding sprinkled with pine nuts, walnuts and pistachios. The Mediterranean Bakery sells it by the pound, 352 S. Pickett St, Alexandria, 703 751 0030.
In Scotland, people go 'first footing'. At midnight they go out into the streets with a piece of coal and a bag of salt to put the first foot over the threshhold of friends' and neighbors' houses, bringing them warmth and wealth in the coming year, symbolized by the coal and the salt.