How to Cook for Rosh Hashanah

Although Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish new year, it bears little similarity to the one that falls on January 1. It's one of the holiest days of the Jewish religion. It's a time to reflect on the previous year, plan for a better one and think about God's sovereignty. It typically comes in mid-September or, occasionally, early October. Eat special foods to kick off a good year. Here's what to cook on this holiday.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Open the meal with apples dipped in honey. This starts off your Rosh Hashanah festival with sweetness for a good year. Offer red, green and yellow apples for a colorful display.

2. Make sure there's enough challah for everyone. In addition to eating it with the Rosh Hashanah meal, everyone should dip a small piece in honey to symbolize a sweet new year.

3. Begin the meal with gefilte fish or soup. Top your fish with plenty of carrots, commonly eaten at Rosh Hashanah. Squash, pumpkin and potato soups are appropriate for the season.

4. Chicken works well as a main dish, especially with a honey glaze. You can also add pomegranate seeds to chicken for an interesting variation. Honey-glazed salmon can also work for the Rosh Hashanah meal.

5. Use seasonal vegetables as side dishes such as casseroles and medleys with potatoes, squash, carrots and yams. Add honey and cinnamon to baked winter squash or sweet potatoes for an easy and festive side dish.

6. Set out pomegranate seeds in small bowls dispersed throughout the table. Besides emphasizing the theme of sweetness, they symbolize abundance.

7. Bake a honey cake for guests on Rosh Hashanah. Add almonds or walnuts as long as no one suffers from allergies. You can also make honey cookies for the family.

Tips & Warnings

• Infuse your Rosh Hashanah meal with personal symbolism. Remember main themes for the holiday are abundance and sweetness.
• Avoid foods that are bitter and sour on Rosh Hashanah when possible.

Resources

• Get help with your Rosh Hashanah cooking.