Why do we eat oliebollen and apple turnovers at New Year’s Eve?

During the Middle Ages, it was common at the turn of the year for tramps to go round the doors begging for food in exchange for a New Year’s wish. The oliebol was ideally suited for this purpose, due to its cost and high nutritional value. The apple turnip, a Dutch invention, was considered an alternative to the oliebol. Both are filling, tasty and simple to prepare.