We have been eating lentils on New Year’s Day for almost 20 years with family and friends.  This dish usually includes 1-2 non-vegan ingredients, but it is super simple to make it into a delicious vegan dish that EVERYONE will love 💚

Around the world, lentils have been traditionally prepared as the main dish to ring in the New Year with good fortune and prosperity going back to ancient times.  The lentil bean, which swells up when cooked, can definitely be compared to an ancient Roman coin, with its burnished brown patina.  Lentils were a staple in the ancient Mediterranean World and can often be found in Greek & Roman literature.  It can be safely assumed that lentils were probably used for barter, especially in lower-class households. To this day, lentils continue to be a New Year’s Day tradition 💰 Check out my recipe to bring our family prosperity and good fortune in the New Year! 🍜

12 oz. dried lentils
2 bay leaves
6 cups water
1/4 cup olive oil
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
Calabaza (squash), diced into large chunks, skin removed
***these are usually in the produce section quartered and wrapped in saran wrap
Yellow (sweet) or green plantain, sliced into large chunks with peel
1-3 Tbsp vegan butter (personal preference)
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp turmeric
Juice of half a lemon
Pinch of nutmeg
Splash of dry cooking wine
Italian parsley, roughly chopped, optional for garnish

This is a one pot recipe for vegan lentils so just go with it 😉

1.  Add olive oil to pot and bring to low to medium heat.

2.  Toss in the chopped onion and minced garlic and sweat those out for a few minutes…just enough to soften them and start releasing flavors.

3.  Add everything else except for the calabaza and plantain.
 

4. Bring it up to a boil, cover, reduce heat and allow to simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Depending on how you like your lentil stew, you may want to add 1-2 cups of water for desired consistency.

5.  Add the diced calabaza and plantain, and allow to continue simmering for 15-20 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

6.  Add the lemon juice, and stir.

7.  Give it a taste and see if it needs anything…you’ll know 😉

I like to serve this up with jasmine or basmati rice and some creamy chunks of avocado.  If you are looking to go back for seconds (which you probably will) it is just as delicious without the rice so you won’t feel as guily! LOL

Vegan lentil stew is the ultimate comfort food on a cool New Year’s Day 🎆🎉

What are your New Year’s Day traditions?  Let me know in the comments 😘