Rosh Hashanah Recipes and Traditions
Rosh Hashanah, Hebrew for "head of the year," is the Jewish New Year and the first day of the High Holy Days. Usually falling in September or October, Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of Man by God and is traditionally signalled by the blowing of the shofar, a ram's horn. The Holy Days continue for ten days and conclude with the fast of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Jews wish each other a happy new year with the greeting "Shana tova!"
Jews traditionally serve sweet foods for Rosh Hashanah to symbolize a sweet new year. Apple slices dipped in honey are a favorite, as are carrot tzimmes, lekach (honey cake), teiglach (honeyed dough balls) and round loaves of challah bread. Other traditional foods are dates, leeks, spinach, beets, and pomegranates. Ancient Hebrews would serve a roasted lamb's head to symbolize the "head" of the year.
Rosh Hashanah Recipes
Carrot Tzimmes
(Israeli Jewish carrots braised with honey)
Tzimmes, or tsimmes, is a Jewish side dish that is a traditional part of a Rosh Hashanah meal. Carrot, or mehren, tzimmes, are a favorite, slowly simmered with honey to make a sweet dish symbolizing a sweet new year. There are endless variations on the basic tzimmes recipe. Some mix carrots and sweet potatoes. Others add dried fruits. Still others braise a nice brisket with the carrots. Read more »
Challah
(Israeli Jewish braided Sabbath bread)
Challah is the traditional bread that begins Sabbath meals in every observant Jewish home. These braided loaves are a symbol and reminder of the miraculous manna that fell from the heavens to feed the Israelites as they wandered in the desert. For Rosh Hashanah, a round challah is favored and symbolizes the cycle of the year. Read more »
Lekach
(Israeli Jewish honey cake)
Lekach is a spiced honey cake that is especially popular for Rosh Hashanah when sweet dishes symbolize a sweet New Year on the Jewish calendar. Read more »
Lokshen Kugel
(Israeli Jewish sweet noodle pudding)
Kugels are sweet or savory puddings that originated with Ashkenazi Jews, those from Eastern Europe. Lokshen kugel, or "noodle pudding," is probably the most popular. It is usually sweet and is often studded with chopped fruit. Kugels are often served at Sabbath meals and for Jewish holidays. Sometimes spelled kigel. Read more »
Sweet and Sour Brisket
(Israeli Jewish braised brisket)
Slow-braised brisket is a traditional part of Passover and Rosh Hashanah meals in many Jewish households. Most of these brisket recipes have a sweet-sour flavor to the braising liquid. For Jews in the United States, ketchup is a common ingredient, as are different types of soda pop. I have kept the ketchup for this recipe. The soda pop is up to you. Read more »
