The beginning of a new year is always a time filled with meanings. It's a time for good intentions, toasts and lavishly laid tables that express a desire for happiness and lightheartedness in the days to come. In the kitchen this symbolic transition finds its most authentic expression through the use of aromas and spices capable of transforming New Year's Eve dishes into authentic sensory experiences.
Europrodotti takes you on a journey through aromas, flavors and suggestions to welcome 2026 with menus rich in flavor, elegance and creativity.
Aromas and spices: symbols of renewal and good luck
A legend tells that in 408 AD the Visigoth king Alaric agreed to lift the siege of Rome after paying a ransom that included, in addition to gold, silver, silk and leather, three thousand pounds of pepper. This anecdote demonstrates how spices have a value that goes beyond culinary. Cinnamon, cloves, ginger and nutmeg have always been precious commodities, used yesterday as well as today not only to flavor foods but also to preserve them, heal the body and celebrate important moments in life.
At the beginning of the year the use of spices takes on an even stronger symbolic meaning. Their intense aromas evoke warmth and welcome, while their fresh, balsamic notes suggest energy and new beginnings. It's not a coincidence that many culinary traditions feature spicy dishes to mark the transition to a new cycle.
Integrating aromas and spices into New Year's Eve and early January menus therefore means to unite tradition and innovation, memory of the past and desire for the future.
Spices: stars of New Year's menus
Each spice tells a story and gives a distinctive character to dishes. Knowing how to choose and measure them allows you to create balanced, captivating and memorable menus.
Cinnamon: sweetness and prosperity
Cinnamon is often associated with luck and plenty. Its warm and rounded aroma makes it perfect in sweet dishes at the end and beginning of the year, as well as in savory dishes, such as meat stews, legumes and spicy sauces. A hint of cinnamon can add depth and harmony to lentils, the quintessential New Year's dish for good luck.
The recommended recipe: warm apple strudel served with vanilla custard, where cinnamon unleashes all its comforting power on winter afternoons.
Pepper: energy and character
Pepper is the spice of dynamism, as demonstrated by the many sayings that associate it with a person's vigor and energy. Its use in dishes at the beginning of the year symbolizes strength and vitality. From meat to fish, until first courses, pepper enhances flavors without overpowering them, especially when used in blends designed to maintain balance and aromatic persistence.
The recommended recipe: green peppercorn fillet, a timeless holiday classic that combines the tenderness of the meat with a bold and vibrant sauce.
Cloves: intensity and heat
Cloves are a typically winter spice, intense and textured, long associated with holiday cooking. Their deep and warm aroma makes them perfect for roasts, sauces, stuffings and legume-based dishes. In New Year's Eve menus they help to create a warm, full sensation, evoking the idea of plenty and conviviality.
The recommended recipe: mulled wine made with a full-bodied red wine, citrus fruits and a generous handful of cloves, perfect for welcoming guests after a walk in the cold.
Nutmeg: balance and roundness
Nutmeg is a subtle yet essential presence in Italian cuisine, especially in special occasion dishes. Its warm and rounded aroma brings harmony to preparations, binding ingredients together. It's ideal for fillings, purées, béchamel sauces and pasta dishes.
The recommended recipe: tortellini in capon broth, where nutmeg is the heart of the meat filling, that secret touch that makes the flavor of this family tradition unique and recognizable.
Ginger: freshness and energy
Ginger is a spice with a vibrant, slightly spicy and citrusy aroma, instantly evoking vitality and movement. Increasingly popular in contemporary cuisine, it finds its place on New Year's menus thanks to its ability to lighten and invigorate dishes.
The recommended recipe: a creamy pumpkin, carrot and ginger soup, a light first course ideal for regenerating after the excesses of Christmas dinners, thanks to its digestive properties.
Cardamom: aromatic elegance and modernity
Cardamom is a refined spice, with a complex, balsamic aroma and notes reminiscent of citrus and eucalyptus. Used sparingly it adds elegance and depth to dishes without overpowering them. In New Year's recipes it lends itself to modern interpretations of fish, rice and delicate desserts.
The recommended recipe: a champagne and cardamom risotto, a sophisticated dish where the spice's citrus notes enhance the wine's bubbles, creating a perfect balance for a gourmet toast.
Turmeric: anti-freeze remedy
Turmeric is a powerful detoxifier widely used to protect the body from the cold. The grated root can be added to soups and salads, used as a pasta sauce or as an alternative to salt to flavor winter dishes.
The recommended recipe: Golden Milk, a hot drink made with milk, turmeric and a pinch of black pepper, ideal for starting January mornings with a boost of well-being.
Saffron: light and abundance
Saffron brings the color of the sun and the promise of renewed wealth to dishes. The precious aroma of the red gold, as it is often called, elevates pasta dishes and soups, lending them a radiance that evokes success and well-being for the coming year.
The recommended recipe: risotto alla Milanese with marrow, served as a single dish during the holidays, where the golden color represents the best wishes for a radiant new year.
Star anise: magic and vision
Star anise adds a fairytale note to infusions and desserts. In New Year's menus it represents the ability to dream and look far ahead, thanks to its balsamic scent that opens the senses.
The recommended recipe: pears cooked in red wine and star anise, an elegant and fragrant dessert that closes the meal with a spicy note and a spectacular presentation.
Chili pepper: boldness and protection
Chili pepper is the ideal ingredient for those who want to start the year off on a high note. It's no coincidence that it's the quintessential symbol of good luck. Its spiciness inflames the palate and stimulates inner energy, acting as a gastronomic talisman.
The recommended recipe: midnight spaghetti with garlic, oil and chili pepper, the quintessential convivial recipe, perfect for celebrating with friends at the end of the year... or of any other day.
Juniper berries: breath and nature
Juniper brings the scent of the woods and the essence of winter to the menu. Its aromatic and resinous flavor is the ideal companion for slow-cooked meats, evoking the resilience and strength of wild nature.
The recommended recipe: a venison or beef stew with dark beer and juniper, where the berries balance the sweetness of the meat and the bitterness of the malt in a typically mountain embrace.
Welcoming 2026 with taste and inspiration means choosing ingredients that tell a story, evoke emotions and look to the future with confidence. Spices, with their timeless aroma, continue to be a key part of this story. Europrodotti is always at the side of those who transform every new beginning into a flavorful experience.