The title for today’s blog is a quote from a young cook who helped bake the honey lemon cakes the other day. It’s funny that even with family, friends, celebration and excitement for a new year, food is the part of the holiday that can stand out in the memory and bring a feeling of satisfaction and contentment.
I asked the young cooks if they had any special holiday food traditions for Rosh Hashanah. One student answered quickly, “Tzimmes. I love tzimmes.” Other students weren’t familiar with it so he explained that tzimmes comes from the Yiddish word for “mixed up,” so it is a cooked compote of mixed vegetables and fruits like carrots, potatoes, dried cranberries and raisins. I happen to like my tzimmes sweetened with a touch of maple syrup rather than the traditional honey. Another student proclaimed that his mother’s brisket was the best in the world.
Last year I was a guest at a Rosh Hashanah dinner where I was delighted to learn about the host’s yearly tradition: starting the meal off with chocolate chip challah. Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of the Jewish New Year, so many of the foods associated with it are sweet. I loved the fun and whimsy of the tradition, and the home baked bread was spectacular.
For me it is fun to find out about other people’s traditions. A co-worked just game me a copy of her family’s Rosh Hashanah favorite—the dish that really makes the meal for them: Kosher Wine Gelatin Mold! There must be funny stories connected to that recipe. I wonder if there ever was a kitchen mishap when the gelatin just didn’t set. Who invented it? Why?
Tonight at the Rosh Hashanah dinner table, go around and have everyone take a turn telling their favorite thing about Rosh Hashanah, food or otherwise. Do grandparents and aunts and uncles have favorite childhood memories? Funny Rosh Hashanah memories? Has someone handed down a recipe to you? Do you have a tradition to share?
I am looking forward to dinner time. We are expecting quite a crowd. I am hoping that my Warm Caramel Apple Cake might be a new tradition (it's in the oven right now and smells amazing--I will post pictures soon).
And, by the way, my mom's brisket is the best in the whole world!
L’Shana Tova!