High Holy Days Favorites
by Jennifer Anderson, Managing Editor of Allrecipes.com
The Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, is a major Jewish holiday with lots of wonderful culinary traditions that
can be enjoyed by all. And since just about everyone seems to have a sweet tooth, we're sure you'll find a
recipe that speaks to you.
Get to Know your Honey
There are hundreds and hundreds of different flavors of honey. This is because the flavor of honey comes
from the source of the nectar and not the bee. Some honeys, like clover and orange blossom, have a delicate
mild flavor while others, like buckwheat and eucalyptus, can have a strong biting flavor. The color of honey
is a good indicator of its flavor. Generally, the darker the honey the stronger the flavor. When measuring
honey be sure to coat your measuring cup or spoon with non-stick cooking spray or oil. That way the honey
will slide out lickety split! Also remember that honey should not be given to children under the age of
one.
Special Symbols
During Rosh Hashanah, Jews reflect upon the year, reunite with family members and friends, and celebrate
the happy year to come. It is a time for both joy and self-examination. The New Year brings a clean slate --
and what better way to start the year than with sweet and delicious foods! It is customary to set a festive
table and one favorite tradition is the practice of eating apples dipped in honey. On this special day,
there are many symbolic foods: the Challah (egg bread) is round, signifying the cycle of the year, and can
have raisins added, symbolizing joy! Apricots and honey are also staples on the snack or dinner table. Fish
has long been a symbol of prosperity and abundance, and on this holiday, is often prepared with a sweet
sauce or stuffed with nuts and fruits. For dessert you can't escape the sweets: Cookies! Cookies!
Cookies!
Plan Your Menus
The holiday that seals the beginning of the New Year, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), is a holiday of prayer
and fasting. On Yom Kippur, in addition to attending services from morning until sundown, Jews refrain from
eating or drinking. It is traditional, however, for Jews to eat a large meal before the fast begins and to
break the fast with a buffet of light, but satisfying, savory and sweet foods. There are so many
opportunities to make great dishes over the Jewish High Holy days that it is best to start planning your
menus early. You can rely on Allrecipes.com to supply you with excellent ideas! Oh! And don't forget to
wish all of your friends and family members "L'Shana Tova!" It's the traditional way to say "Happy New
Year!" in Hebrew.
Sweet Dishes for a Sweet Year!
Honey, carrots, apples and other sweet foods are a perfect way to get the New Year off to a yummy start!
Here are few of our staff's favorites to add some sweetness to your life.
