Paul's Heart

Pigs Root Forward, Chickens Scratch Backward

Every year my mother will call me on New Year’s Day and ask, “so are you going to have your pork and sauerkraut for New Year’s Day?” My answer is always the same as it has been as long as I can remember, “no.” Well, at least the sauerkraut part anyway. I have no idea what the smelly crap is let alone barely able to spell it. There is no way that is getting into my belly. As a kid, I simply ate the pork, and lots of mashed potatoes that were also made, and some applesauce. But sauerkraut? Not a chance.

I am sure that I am not alone in remembering what it was like to have family traditions growing up, the days long gone, likely after the passing of grandparents who were the backbones of such traditions. We did not ask “why”, we just did. My family heritage consists mainly of Native American and “Pennsylvania Dutch.” Pennsylvania Dutch, also known as Pennsylvania German settled in the US from Germany back in the 1600’s. As I am aware of some French background as well, I believe that my maternal grandmother’s background is from the French region of Alsace-Lorraine. 

The P.D. had their own language and amazing recipes, sadly, which neither has been passed down to future generations. I remember some of the language, which was usually only spoken when my elders did not want me to understand what they were saying. Though, when the voice was raised, the eyebrows crossed, and a finger was pointed at me, it did not matter what language was being used. I knew that it was not good.

But my grandmother made so many good foods, well other than those that were “pickled”. A Pennsylvania Dutch diet is not a healthy one, a lot of fatty fried foods, but the food was always “plain,” not seasoned really. Perhaps that is what always appealed to me. The thing I learned about many Pennsylvania Dutch, is food does not go to waste. And I am not talking just the leftovers (mashed potatoes were routinely made into potato pancakes at another meal). But the body parts of the animals were eaten. I could not watch some of the things my elders would eat, such as tongue, livers, etc.

There was one particular delicacy that would not only turn my stomach, but the smell when prepared would linger in the house for days, was something called “chow chow.” To those that enjoy vegetables, this concoction is PACKED with all kinds of vegetables. It is when vinegar that gets added, and this “relish” is prepared, produces a nausea in me worse than a newborn’s diaper filled with diarrhea. Seriously, many of us had to leave the house when my grandmother made this stuff because the smell was so bad. Yet, many enjoy this side dish. I am just not one of those.

Sauerkraut is also one of things I avoid. But all through my childhood, pork and sauerkraut was the meal of the day for New Year’s Day. So, why was/is this meal so important? I never questioned it. But my mother last year decided to ask me if I knew why, which of course I didn’t.

“You don’t eat bird on New Year’s Day because chickens “scratch” backwards. Pigs “root” forward. It is a new year. We go forward, not backward. Also, as the chickens fly away, all good luck flies away with the feathers.” So, to be clear, sauerkraut is shredded cabbage, of course pickled. Another thing believed, was that you wished as much fortune as the strands of cabbage in the sauerkraut.

As I said, I do not eat sauerkraut. I cannot stand the smell of it. But one odd thing for those who do sauerkraut, how do you eat that stuff after a night of consuming mass amounts of alcohol the night before to celebrate the new year, hung over the next day? I witnessed someone doing that. It was both entertaining and gross, if you know what I mean.

In any case, I want to wish everyone reading “Paul’s Heart,” a very happy, healthy, and prosperous new year. I have some hopeful plans for my book, including speaking engagements, book signings, and some sort of video media perhaps like a Youtube channel, whichever enables me to reach more people in support of cancer survivorship, those struggling with parental alienation, patient advocacy, and adoption issues.

Happy New Year! And be safe. See you in 2024.