How Corned Beef And Cabbage Became A New Years' Tradition
NEWS
By HILARY WHEELAN REMLEY
While there are many different New Year’s Day traditional meals, corned beef and cabbage is particularly popular among Irish Americans or Americans who are Irish in spirit.
This meal, often associated with St. Patrick’s Day, has a deeper history than mere superstition and is much less Irish than you might think.
Although corned beef was a popular export from Ireland in the 16th and 17th centuries, the meat was considered a luxury item and wasn’t commonly consumed among the Irish.
It wasn’t until the Great Famine, when over a million Irish immigrants fled to America, that corned beef became associated with Irish identity.
Since beef was cheaper in the U.S. than in Ireland, corned beef became popular among Irish immigrants and closely associated with Irish Americans.
It’s unclear how it became an Irish-American New Year’s staple; however, many believe that because of its luxury status in Ireland, corned beef represents hopes of prosperity.
As for cabbage’s link to the New Year’s tradition, it is pretty clear. Though it originates from Eastern Europe, eating cabbage can signify financial luck because of its green color.
