While living in Madrid, the most exciting celebration I experienced was “Nochevieja,”  Spain’s New Year’s Eve.

Just before midnight, millions of people gather at Puerta del Sol square in the city’s center and watch the final countdown from the huge clock on top of the post office.  Tradition requires that with each stroke of the clock at midnight, you eat a grape.  The saying goes that with each of the twelve grapes you eat, you are ensuring luck for the twelve months of the New Year ahead.  Following the mass grape gobbling are several toasts of cava (Spanish bubbly), and hours of singing and dancing in the streets!

It is an absolutely great time and the party goes until the wee hours of the morning, usually ending with chocolate and churros (hot chocolate and fried dough) at San Gines, the city’s best chocolateria.

Filed Under: Culinary History, Food Talk