New Year’s Eve is set to look a little different in Almeria this year, as the city prepares to host the second edition of “The 12 Lucky Tomatoes”. The innovative initiative aims to usurp the classic New Year’s Eve tradition of eating grapes at the stroke of midnight, replacing them with the province’s own product: cherry tomatoes.
Celebrating Almeria’s agricultural legacy
The event promises to combine festive fun with a celebration of local agricultural heritage, offering residents and visitors alike a unique way to ring in the New Year.
Event organisers, the Tomato Guild and the Almeria Gastronomic Association, hope to establish this trend as a yearly tradition, and have doubled their efforts, with 6,000 bags of cherry tomatoes being distributed to attendees, practically doubling the logistics of the first edition.
Key figures such as Rafael Rodrigues from Almeria Gastronomica, and members of the Tomato Guild, including Mabel Salinas, chef Antonio Gazquez, and Manuel Leal, were in attendance at the initiatives official launch. During a press conference, the initiative was presented as a celebration of Almeria’s agricultural potential, and a symbol of prosperity for the upcoming new year.
Councillor for Agriculture, Green Spaces and Water, Juan Jose Seguara, spoke on how these types of campaigns reinforce Almeria’s image as a gastronomic destination. Events like “The 12 Lucky Tomatoes” highlight key economic and cultural drivers, while simultaneously allowing families to share moments of joy.
A fresh taste of New Years of Eve
Chef Antionio Gazquez emphasised the importance of promoting tomatoes as Almeria’s star product.
The Plaza de la Constitucion, also known as Plaza Vieja, will host “The 12 Lucky Tomatoes” on December 30th. Beginning at 7:00pm, attendees will be guided through symbolic countdowns, with a top-tier musical line-up with the Latin-Grammy nominated group “Las Migas” headlining.
Plaza Vieja will be transformed into a vivacious hub celebrating new beginnings and local pride. At the stroke of midnight, twelve cherry tomatoes will be eaten, manifesting good fortune for the year ahead.
With the essential support of local institutions, gastronomic groups, and eager residents, “The 12 Lucky Tomatoes” is firmly establishing itself as an unmissable event each and every year.