Oysters: New York City's original street food.
Oysters could be considered New York City's original street food.
By the 19th century, the city was known as the world's oyster capital. New York Public Library says the Lenape people had been harvesting oysters from what is now called the Hudson River long before Henry Hudson first sailed it. But these days, oysters sold at city Greenmarkets are harvested off of Long Island and as far north as Cape Cod.
Not only are they symbols of good luck and prosperity for the new year, they're sweeter and meatier during these cold winter months.
You can often find oysters at Greenmarkets at a better price than at restaurants. GrowNYC Program and Publicity Manager Amelia Tarpey says right now, oysters are going for about $1 to $1.50 apiece.