How to Prepare a Vegan Passover Seder

Substitute a roasted beet for the traditional lamb shank.

Passover is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar. Passover commemorates the Israelites release from slavery in Egypt and involves a ritual feast called the Seder. The Seder meal is an opportunity to read from ancient texts, eat traditional food and celebrate freedom from slavery. The centerpiece of the ritual meal is the Seder plate, which usually contains lamb and other animal products. Vegan households can replace elements of the Seder meal with alternative dishes that stay true to the spirit of the holiday.

Instructions

1. Plan your Seder plate to include vegan alternatives. Traditionally, the Seder plate contains matzoh, lamb shank, bitter herbs, a hard-boiled egg, parsley and charoset. Charoset is a mixture of nuts, apples and wine that is sweetened with honey. Substitute agave for honey to make the charoset vegan-friendly. The website Veg News recommends using a roasted beet in place of the lamb and substituting a silky avocado or white eggplant for the hard-boiled egg.

2. Select a wine to drink during the Seder meal. The ritual feast requires celebrants to drink four glasses of wine throughout the meal. Find a vegan wine that is marked Kosher-for-Passover to serve. According to Veg Paradise, some vegans substitute pure grape juice for red wine during the Seder meal.

3. Make a vegan soup dish to begin the Seder meal. Traditionally, the meal begins with chicken soup and matzoh balls. Substitute vegetable broth in the chicken soup and make the matzoh balls without eggs. The Veg Paradise website reports that eggless matzoh balls tend to be lighter and fluffier than their traditional counterparts.

4. Create three or four main dishes to serve as entrees. Instead of the traditional beef brisket or roasted chicken, make an eggplant casserole or a vegan meatloaf with nuts in place of ground beef. Include several dishes of spring vegetables prepared in casseroles, baked or steamed. Use mushrooms, potatoes, eggplant, zucchini or sweet potatoes as hearty alternatives to meat and egg products. Make extra vegan charoset to serve as a side relish throughout the meal.

5. Make two or three dessert options in place of the traditional macaroons and sponge cake. Veg Paradise suggests making wine-poached pears using vegan wine. Include large dates or raisins on a serving tray to represent traditional foods eaten by the Israelites.

Tips & Warnings

• Older generations and orthodox family members may be offended if you change the ritual Seder menu to feature vegan options. Warn family members ahead of time and explain your reasons for altering the traditional menu.

References

• Veg News: Vegan Passover Seder
• People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals: Passover Recipes
• Vegetarian Resource Group: Passover Seder Ideas
• Veg Paradise: Veganizing Easter and Passover Celebrations