And here we are. 2026!
The beginning of January is a time to look forward, with a glance or two back in the rear-view mirror, but only just long enough to see if we need any course corrections. Do you make resolutions? I gave that up long ago, at least fastening my resolve to a date on the calendar.
Fresh starts
I do like to think of the new year as a clean slate, a time to clear out the tinsel and cobwebs and focus on right now. The tree in in the yard is readied to hang suet for the birds with hopes the bears don’t wake up for a winter snack. There’s always something, isn’t there? The house is cleaned, but the holiday greeting cards remain scattered around for a while where eyes may linger. Right now, we’re pretty much socked in with ice and snow, cold temperatures and winds. But we’ve had lots of gatherings and celebrations that lightened and warmed our hearts, not to mention a vibrant fire in the hearth. We’re rejoicing in the awesome fact that minute by precious minute, the light is returning to lengthen the days.
Lots of ways to celebrate
Some years, it has been just the two of us and we didn’t quite make it to the New Year’s ball drop. No matter. Other years, we’ve welcomed it in with champagne and company, even the odd party. This year, my two granddaughters and their friends filled the house, and we toasted in 2026 with lots of laughter and sparkling cider.
Annual ritual
However, for decades our constant ritual has been to wake up and view the sunrise on the new year. Years ago, a friend told us about the Japanese tradition of viewing the first sunrise on the first day of the new year. This welcoming of the first sunrise, called Hatsuhinode, is a time to be grateful for what the old year brought, and to look forward to the blessings of the new year ahead. It is good luck to watch that first sunrise, and we don’t miss it. It’s pretty easy at this time of year since the sun doesn’t rise until 7:30 a.m.!
A Magic sunrise
The first time we did this, we got up early that year, drove to a beautiful spot nestled between three Vermont ski mountains: Bromley, Magic, and Stratton, the golden triangle. Bromley was at our back, and the sun rose beautifully pink and red and purple that year over Magic. We then drove to a small local diner and ate a hearty, although as I recall not-too-healthy, breakfast. I realized only then I had forgotten my camera! But that first New Years sunrise remains etched in my memory.
There’s always a sunrise
Since then, our tradition has taken several forms, watching the sunrise with inn guests on the porch, by ourselves, but more often with friends who brave the cold to get up early on the holiday and make their way to us, steaming coffee and croissants promised on arrival, with a brunch to follow. Some years, it was bitter cold and we stayed out only long enough to verify that indeed the sun had risen. Other years, we lingered in relative warmth, a full-blown party!
A treat for the new year
We often served Crab Cakes Benedict, our go-to first day treat – a crab cake atop a fresh croissant, topped with a poached egg and Hollandaise Sauce. Very popular to say the least, but there needs to be another option for those who want to start off the new year on a lighter note and those who have dietary restrictions or maybe are trying to follow Venanuary this year. To please everyone at an early New Year’s get-together last weekend, vegan and heart-sensitive included, so we enlisted hearts of palm as a substitute for some of the cakes. Look for an organic, sustainably harvested variety; it will say so on the can. Other substitutes I’ve used in the past are artichokes and cauliflower, but the hearts of palm are by far the best tasting.
Easy to make both
I doubled the fixings for the crab cakes and divided up the binder and the sautéed vegetables into two bowls. It was easy to just make two totally separate batches, noting here that I used vegan mayonnaise for both recipes and no one cared a bit. I baked the vegan version to keep it lighter in fat, and pan sautéed the crab version.
A slight variation
The hearts of palm were quite effective as a crab substitute. In fact, when I made my test batch of the first two cakes, I had my husband sample each, telling him only that one had a little more binder because I had trouble keeping them together in the pan. He loved both and said only that one had slightly less crab flavor. That was good enough for me, and I immediately confessed my little trick. They really do have the texture and taste of a good crab cake.
Little changes
I assembled the vegan dish by toasting some rounds of whole wheat bread, topped with a Just egg square, the cake, and the remoulade. A couple of folks wanted one of each and were quite happy with both.
Happiest of new years
Happy New Year my friends. It has been a difficult year for many, but we can always keep hope in our hearts. May everyone have all of what they need in this coming year, and much of what they want.
Vegan Crab Cakes with Roasted Red Pepper Remoulade
- 2 slices fresh whole wheat bread for coating, or panko crumbs
- 1 14-oz (220 g.) can hearts of palm
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1/3 cup finely minced onion
- 1/3 cup finely minced red pepper
- 1/3 cup finely minced carrot
- 1/3 cup dry sherry
- ½ cup Hellman’s vegan mayonnaise
- 1 tsp. Old Bay seasoning
- ½ tsp. hot Hungarian paprika
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp. dried bread crumbs
- Sauce of choice
Process the bread into fresh crumbs and set aside on a baking tray. You can do this in the food processor, or hand grate. You can also use panko bread crumbs for the coating.
Roughly chop the hearts, then pulse in a food processor for 10 to 12 pulses to break up and shred. You can also finely mince with a knife. Set aside.
In a large skillet, saute the onion, pepper, and carrot in the olive oil until just starting to color. Deglaze with the sherry and continue stirring until the sherry has been absorbed. Set aside to cool.
Mix together the mayonnaise, Old Bay, paprika, salt, and peppers. Add this, the vegetables, and the dried bread crumbs to the hearts of palm and combine well.
Using an ice-cream scoop, form into six patties, pressing them well, and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least a half hour. These can be made earlier in the day.
When ready to cook, preheat oven to 450 degrees F. (230 C.) Place the cakes on a lightly greased sheet and spritz each with a bit of oil. Bake until golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. You can also pan fry these in a large cast-iron skillet, turning only once or they might fall apart.
Serve with the roasted red pepper sauce below.
Roasted Red Pepper Remoulade
- 1 large red pepper, roasted
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbsp. sriracha
- ¼ cup spicy brown mustard
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- Zest and juice of a lemon
Combine everything in a food processor and blend to your desired consistency. Keeps well in the refrigerator.
For traditional crab cakes, follow the exact recipe but substitute 10 oz. crab meat for the hearts of palm and proceed exactly as above, and top with the remoulade.
“If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him. The people who give you their food give you their heart.” ~ Cesar Chavez
© Copyright 2026– or current year, The New Vintage Kitchen. Dorothy Grover-Read. Unattributed use of this material and photographs is strictly prohibited. Reposting and links may be used, provided that credit is given to The New Vintage Kitchen, with active link and direction to this original post.
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Both sound delicious! The heart of palm cakes sound fun. We love hearts of palm.
They were surprisingly delicious and quite crablike. Happy New Year!
Lovely post, Dorothy! Thanks for sharing that wonderful morning tradition.
Happy New Tear! We look forward to it every year, a nice way to welcome the year.
I awoke this morning (after only 3 hours sleep) to the sound of a robin’s song. Heralding both the new year and the coming Spring. His song always makes me smile.
Happy New Year everyone!
What a lovely way to start the first day of the new year!
Happy New Year to you and yours!
Your Crab Cakes sound wonderful for breakfast. I don’t know Hearts of Palm but strangely this is the second time I have read about them in a couple of days. I will have to investigate.
My mother used to, at midnight, open the Front and Back doors to let the old year out and the new year in. Even though I am always awake at the time I don’t have to do what my mum did as with it being summer at new year we live with our doors open with just the security doors locked. So it’s a free passage for the old and the new to pass out and in. I have also heard of people hiding money outside and bringing it back in on New Year’s Day. Never ending cash in the following year! I like your watching the sunrise!
Mary :))
My mom used to do the same thing! She also opened the front door on Christmas Eve at midnight to let the Christ child in. Funny how these little memories stick with us.
Enjoy those sunrises!
I loved your first sunrise tradition. I’m an early riser and usually watch the sun rise with my cat who loves to snuggle that time of day. However, no sun visible today, we were covered in fog and cloud cover. Happy New Year Dorothy! Enjoy the crabcakes, they sound wonderful!
Happy New Year to you my friend!
It was definitely cloudy this morning, but now the sun is out. Just in time for sunset!
What a lovely way to great the new year. Not a morning person, but even I could manage 7:30. Because we live in the woods, we would have to drive somewhere to see sunrise. Believe it or not, I have never had hearts of palm, but I will be trying them soon. I really liked how you included a vegan version. A very happy New Year to you and yours!
Thanks Laurie, and Happy New Year to you too!
The fact that my husband couldn’t tell there wasn’t crab in the vegan version speaks volumes!
Your sunrise tradition is a nice one. Your breakfast sounds delicious as well. Wishing you all the best in the new year.
Thank you Karen! Happy New Year to you too, may 2026 be good to you and yours.
Oh my, Dorothy, this looks fantastic. Can I get hearts of palm? Don’t know, but I’ll try… We are now in 2026. We danced the night away, with toes telling the tale of a night well lived. We came home high from laughter and enjoyment hitting the pillows a little after 2am. Hello 2026!
So glad you had such a wonderful time! One always feels good when dancing, which is why it is my exercise of choice ever single day!
Bright blessings on the coming year.
You live in such a beautiful area! Here’s to 2026!
Here, here! Many wishes for a great year ahead!
I do feel blessed to live where I do, and do not take it for granted.
Happy 2026! Yes, to coastal comfort with a clever twist!
Happy New Year my friend!
Commenting from summery climes near midday on the second day of the New Year, may I post belated very, very best wishes over your way! I am traditionally a very late riser but was taught early in childhood that if I got up early on the first day of a New Year and worked productively – this supposedly would continue for the rest of the year 🙂 ! I try 🙂 ! I have always loved hearts of palm . . . have never thought they could taste like crab . . . what a delight to try !
I think it’s the Old Bay seasoning that tricks the brain!
Happiest of New Years!
Happy, happy new year! I’m working on a small wall hanging with a sunrise. 🙂
Perfect! New beginnings!
Happy New Year, Dorothy. I think you know I have Danish heritage so seafood and remoulade make me prick up my ears.
This combo has my mouth watering and I like your tradition of seeing in the New Year in the early morning. I am a morning person anyway and feel I am past staying up late just to go to bed soon after midnight. The early morning tradition sounds like a fun one I could adopt. I often have croissants and orange juice on Christmas morning but will all there is to do with meal prep New Year’s Day would be a better time and I am up early anyways! Trouble is I have to get up much earlier than you. Sunrise is around 4.45 am at the moment. Haha.
Yes Amanda, we’re at different ends of the clock of the seasons! You could always view the sunrise, then jump back under the covers!
Happy New Year to you and yours!
I think I will lean across and open the shutters! But then, I get so excited I am wide awake! If I do drift off back to the sleep, my magpie friends (wild birds outside) and my own dogs will wake me up wanting breakfast.
But that is okay too.
I’m like that in the summer. Once the sun is up, and I wake up, my sleep is pretty much over, even though it is 4 a.m.!The birds are my dogs’ alarm clock as well!
Some things in life like puppy dogs and the internal clock of wild birds don’t know cultural or national borders! And how wonderful that is.
Well said my friend!
Your sunrise photo is so inspiring.
Using hearts of palm as a crab meat substitute is brilliant, and one I’ll be trying soon! 🙂
Thank you my friend! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Beautiful post, D. Happy New Year! 🌞
Happy New Year to you and yours my friend!
What a beautiful way to start the new year! And delicious too 😉 Wish you a wonderful new year dear Dorothy!
Thank you, and Happy New Year to you too!
I’m going to add this to my list of vegetarian go to recipes!
Thanks! It’s really a good one to have at the ready!
Happy New Year!!!
The full moon lights up the night sky like a spotlight. ✨🌕✨
And here it is beautiful on the snow!
I can only imagine; although it does look pretty good bouncing off the white sandy beaches. 👀🍃🌕🌴🌊
Oh yeah, there’s that too, and I could use of bit of it right about now!
Awesome post Thanks
Thanks for stopping by!
I love the fresh start of a new year and what better way to do that then watch the first sunrise of the year!
It’s always a special time to pause and think about the year ahead!
Happy New Years Dorothy! May 2026 bring you health and happiness and lots of good food!
Thank you Joni! I wish all the best to you too!
Nice post Thanks
Happy New Year!
How fun! When I can find hearts of palm I usually make vegan ceviche but now…crab cakes! looks delish
I think you’re going to like this one!
I absolutely love your tradition of watching the first sunrise of the year followed by brunch. I might have to adopt that in some fashion or form. Sounds like you had some lovely celebrations over the holiday with your family! I had all my kids this year, it was a crowded house but just what I needed. Awe, here’s to a fabulous 2026! Much love and hugs, C
Doesn’t it feel wonderful to have the whole brood together? Precious moments always, and the best memories.
🩷💕🩷
This time of year, I often look out my kitchen window while preparing breakfast and see the sun rising. It’s a good time to reflect. Happy New Year!
A perfect time to reflect!
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Dorothy!
Happy New Year to you my friend!
Both sound delicious!
Now I want to wake up at sunrise in 2027! What a fun tradition!
I apologize for my late comment and want to wish you and yours a Happy New Year. (I was taking it really slow this past week and hardly picked up my iPad.)
✨Happy 2026!✨
Taking it easy is a perfect way to start the new year after all the activities of the holiday. Good for healing too! How are you doing?
Doing very well. I am about to “ditch the cane!” 🥰
Wonderful!!! That’s a big, well, step forward!
🥰 😊
These sound so good Dorothy. I never tasted heart of palm, I doubt we have it here but I will have my husband look, he does the grocery shopping. You must be the most amazing grandma ever hosting your granddaughters and their friends!
They’ve live to congregate here, and I live it!
The hearts of palm are sometimes where the artichokes are kept, or by the Asian supplies.
Good luck!
Oh, yum! This sounds delicious Dorothy, and I’m allergic to crab so will try it with the hearts of palm.
I think you’ll be surprised at shat a great stunt double this us!
Happy new year … although I’m very late… apologies. We’re in teh middle of summer here and don’t have daylight savings (even though most of Australia does, our state does not) so the sun is up well before we’re walking at 5 am.
Yes, we’re on opposite light. My sun isn’t up until almost 7:30, but I have noticed the days are just a tad bit longer before dusk.
We have a couple of states that don’t recognize daylight savings time as well.