Rosh Hashanah: Recipes and Traditions

Rosh Hashanah, Hebrew for “head of the year,” is the Jewish New Year and the first partof 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 “Shanah Tovah!”

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 include 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

Try these recipes for Rosh Hashanah.

Lekach 
(Israeli Jewish honey cake)

Lekach 
(Israeli Jewish honey cake)

Lokshen Kugel 
(Israeli Jewish sweet noodle pudding)

Lokshen Kugel 
(Israeli Jewish sweet noodle pudding)

Chopped Chicken Livers 
(Jewish liver paté spread)

Chopped Chicken Livers 
(Jewish liver paté spread)

Knaidlach 
(Israeli, Jewish matzo balls in broth)

Knaidlach 
(Israeli, Jewish matzo balls in broth)

Challah 
(Israeli Jewish braided Sabbath bread)

Challah 
(Israeli Jewish braided Sabbath bread)

Carrot Tzimmes 
(Israeli, Jewish carrots braised with honey)

Carrot Tzimmes 
(Israeli, Jewish carrots braised with honey)

Sweet and Sour Brisket 
(Israeli Jewish braised brisket)

Sweet and Sour Brisket 
(Israeli Jewish braised brisket)

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