Rich with natural umami, chopped to approximate the toothsome, chewy texture of diced seafood, it’s a wholly unique creation that no other plant or animal can replace. The key ingredient is soaked Sugimoto shiitake mushrooms. That said, you can enhance your luck while preserving your karma by cooking up plants, not bivalves. Beyond symbolism, this was literal money harvested from the sea. In fact, the indigenous peoples of the Americas used the shells themselves directly as a form of currency. Slang for dollars, round like coins, and known to produce lucrative pearls, clams are strongly associated with property across all cultures. When faced with a full 365 days of unknown fortune ahead, wouldn’t you want to stack the deck in your favor, just in case? Don’t just raise a glass to good luck make it a guest at the party by inviting these Plant-Based Baked Clams to join the fun. Jump to Recipe New Year’s Eve is the single most superstitious day of the year.Įven if you’re typically a logical, pragmatic person, it’s hard to resist placing some significance on the visible acceleration of time.