Traditional Charoset- Passover Delicacy
Charoset is a delicious, traditional food eaten at the Passover seder. It’s a sweet paste of nuts, fruit, and wine, but there are so many variations and customs. The charoset symbolizes what Passover is all about – the Hebrew word for clay is ‘cheres,’ reminiscent of the clay the ancient Israelites used to build the pyramids while they were enslaved in Egypt. We use apples in our charoset to represent the women who gave birth under the apple trees in the fields during slavery.
The holiday of Passover continuously celebrates our freedom from oppression – even our own personal Egypts. We aspire to be free people – nobody has the ability to take away our essential selves. Never again! Despite oppression, enslavement, and torture, the fundamental nature of the the Jewsih people remains spiritually free. We will forever remain free and strong.
Sources
The Book of Exodus
Talmud (ancient Jewish teachings)
Likutei Sichot Volume 32 (collective talks by the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s teachings)
Recipe
From my mother’s kitchen, with a twist
3 apples – McIntosh, Gala, Golden Delicious, or Braeburn – peeled and chopped
½ cup chopped walnuts
½ tsp ground cinnamon
3 tbsp sweet red wine or grape juice
Optional: ¼ tsp ground ginger
Optional: pitted medjool dates – finely chopped – will make charoset thicker and sweeter
Instructions
Peel, core, and finely chop the apples
In a bowl, toss with the chopped walnuts
Mix in cinnamon and (optionally) ginger, and chopped dates
Stir in two tbsp red wine or grape juice and refrigerate for a few hours
Before serving, add the remaining red wine (1 tbsp)
Serve on table and enjoy your seder
Genia’s Spoon Me Tip
I have a seder plate with all the traditional Passover foods displayed in the center of our table. I also like to place the charoset, along with some others, on individual plates for our family and guests to enjoy on their matzah and with their meal. The charoset goes fast – it’s a crowd-pleaser.
Passover is our holiday of faith, sharing the story of our ancestors, and remembering that we are all personally going through our own struggles for freedom. Amen!
Wishing you a meaningful holiday,
Love,
Genia