おせち料理 Osechi Ryori

Osechi Ryori

Did you know that in the "old days" there was no cooking done during the first three days of New Years?
So many housewives were busy at the end of the year cooking up Osechi Ryori in preparation for New Year. Of  course now you can order it at the local 7-11. (^^)
The ingredients used in Osechi actually have meaning. A quick run down follows.

Sato Imo (taro): fertility as many baby taros grom from one seed potato

Renkon (Lotus roots): hole in the root = ability to see the future

Gobo (burdock): as it grows straight in the soil = steadfastness

Ebi (lobster/prawm/shrimp): the bent back like the eldery = long life

Kohaku namasu (pickled white radish and carrots in strips) : festive red/white gift wrappings

Kuro Mame (black beans) : a wish to work in good health

Kazunoko (Herring roe) : fertility and prosperity

Tazukuri (Fried Sardine) : Wish for rich harvest as sardines were used as fertilizer

Kohaku Kamaboko (red/white fish paste cake) : red/white = auspicious colors

Datemaki ( rolled fish paste omelet): wish to improve knowledge and culture. Date also means flamboyant.
                                                       Maki = scroll

Kuri Kinton (chestnuts in sweet potatoe paste) : prosperity from the golden color of the dish

Konbu Maki (kelp rolls) : to be happy Konbu = kobu as in Yorokobu (to be happy)

Takenoko (Banboo shoots) : endurance and flexibility

Tai (Red Sanpper) ; fish used for all auspicious celebrations.

I sure miss the smell of cooking at the end of the year! Of course, I snuck a few bites while grandna wasn't looking! (^^)  Now if folks would stop going to MMA fights in New Year Eve and spend qaulity timw with family at home!

Tradtionally the Ameyoko in Ueno is packed with folks buying the ingredients for Osechi. The Ameyoko
(short for American Alley) was originally a blackmarket area for US goods illegally obtained from Occupation Forces right after World War Two. It then developed into a shoppong area for very cheap goods ranging form food to clothes. The National Museum of Art is close by as well as Ueno Park which is aslo famous for Cherry Blossom Viewing in the Spring. Lots of sake and shiochu flows throughout the day!
The local police is kept quite busy as well. (^^)

Entrance to Ameyko

Shopping fo goodies!

What kind of New Year traditions do you have in New York?