Las Doce Uvas de la Suerte

Back home I know how my friends and family will be celebrating the New Year. There will be Sparkling Wine, the Countdown to Midnight, the Ball Dropping in New York City, Kissing, and Singing. There will be Hugging, Well Wishing, and Laughter too.

While I love spending New Year's Eve laughing and toasting and celebrating, this New Years will be very different. I will be in full concentration mode to mentally prepare for the twelve strokes of midnight.

Anne Igartiburu and Imanol Arias
host the countdown to midnight  in Madrid

 My first time encountering this Spanish New Year's Eve tradition was three years ago with Andres' family. We were at a large table in his Aunt's home with his parents and cousins asking casually if I was prepared for midnight, and if I had ever eaten twelve grapes in twelve seconds. While I'm not sure how other's would respond, my answer was "No." No, I had never been put in a position, or had the curiosity, to eat twelve grapes in twelve seconds. I thought, just pop them in, chew, swallow and repeat, right?

The plates were passed and the uvas distributed and that is when I noticed that these were quite possibly the biggest grapes I had ever encountered in my life (they were bigger than I thought even existed, actually). Andres' family must have seen my reaction to my first glimpse, because all eleven relatives began to offer advice, which ended with four different people peeling and seeding my grapes. It's a tricky little scheme and up for debate, but since it was my first time, all agreed to turn a blind eye. Needless to say with some quick maneuvering and a little panic, I finished all twelve with pride.

Las Doce Uvas "De la Suerte" (The Twelve Grape "of luck") tradition started on a large scale in 1909, when the region of Alicante experienced an exceptional grape harvest and was looking to sell. Originally the bourgeoisie celebrated the New Year with Grapes and Champagne, but with such a bountiful harvest the practice was encouraged to spread nation wide. The tradition is that each of the Grapes represents a month of the year, and eating a Grape on each toll of the bell will give you luck for each month devoured.

While New Year's Eve looms ahead, I begin to mentally and emotionally prepare for the task. As my last experience was several years ago, I might have to go the peeled route... or at least the seeded route. So, as you hold your glass of Sparkling Wine and prepare for the countdown, wherever you are, cross your fingers for me.

Happy New Year!

**update**

My dish of seeded grapes
(I opted for skin-on for a bit of a challenge)

Grapes seeded and peeled
with a fork and knife like a pro