Prosperity Foods

Various cultures have foods that symbolize and court prosperity. Here’s what to eat in preparation for the coming year.

* Xiomara: Black-eyed peas, called caritas (little faces) in Cuba, were brought to the island by Chinese laborers, who first sold them on the street in fritters (bollitos de caritas). Caritas are offered to the saints on New Year’s Eve along with prayers for prosperity. At this Pasadena Nuevo Latino restaurant, there’s an Asian Cuban menu that offers mun~etas de caritas (a round, spiced bean cake) on an appetizer of spicy ahi tuna with a mango, papaya culantro (Cuban cilantro) moho sauce. (Ahi and mun~eta de caritas, $10.) Xiomara, 69 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena (626) 796-2520.

* L’Arancino: In Sicily, prosperity is symbolized by dried codfish (baccala, baccalao) because traders from northern Europe brought it to the island during a famine and restored the population. You can get it at L’Arancino as baccala all’eoliana: marinated codfish with vinegar, herbs and plump capers. (Salt cod appetizer, $10.) L’Arancino, 8908 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 858-5777.

* Sunnin: In the Middle East, lentils are associated with prosperity (when you think about it, they do resemble tiny coins). You can enjoy a simple, delicious dish of lentils and onions with rice called mujaddara at this small Lebanese cafe on Westwood. (Mujaddara, $2.50/small serving, $3.50/large serving.) Sunnin, 1779 Westwood Blvd., West Los Angeles, (310) 477-2358.

* Chameli: If you want a compound guarantee of prosperity, stop by this vegetarian Indian restaurant, which specializes in excellent daals (curried legumes), including lobhia, made with black-eyed peas; urad daal, black lentils; and char daal, using four kinds of lentils. (Daals, $3.50 to $3.75.) Chameli, 8752 Valley Blvd., Rosemead, (626) 280-1947.

* Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch: Black-eyed peas is the traditional American dish to bring in the New Year. Whether you want a single serving or vast pans for your New Year’s bash, Aunt Kizzy’s can supply it; these are slow-cooked, well-seasoned, meat-free--and lucky, of course. (Black-eyed peas: $2 serving; small pan, $35; large pan, $45.) Aunt Kizzy’s Back Porch, Villa Marina Shopping Center, 4325 Glencoe Ave., Marina del Rey, (310) 578-1005.