| The Jewish New year is at the beginning of the | | | | pastries. Dates are used in meat dishes to add |
| Jewish month of Tishrei which usually falls | | | | sweetness. In addition to dates, date honey or |
| sometime during September. Jewish food for the | | | | silan is used in many Rosh Hashanah recipes. |
| New Year is traditionally replete with symbolism. | | | | Pomegranate - in Israel pomegranates ripen |
| Sweet foods are eaten, bread is dipped in honey | | | | around the time of Rosh Hashanah and are eaten |
| instead of salt, we feast on new fruits and some | | | | as a new fruit; we ask that we should have as |
| people even have the head of a lamb on their | | | | many good deeds as there are seeds in a |
| table. But what is the meaning behind all these | | | | pomegranate. Pomegranate seeds are eaten raw, |
| special foods? And is there more to it than just | | | | but can also be added to salads to add color, |
| honey? | | | | taste and texture. In addition, pomegranate syrup |
| The Jewish New Year, known as Rosh Hashanah | | | | is used in cooking chicken and meat. |
| (literally the head of the year) is a two day | | | | Apple - this is traditionally dipped in honey. It is |
| festival. It is a time for introspection and prayer in | | | | eaten at the beginning of the meal and we ask |
| the hope that we will be blessed with a good, | | | | for to be blessed with a "sweet new year". There |
| sweet new year. Most of the foods traditionally | | | | are many recipes for apple cakes, cookies and |
| associated with Rosh Hashanah are connected in | | | | muffins and desserts which are enjoyed on Rosh |
| some way to our desire for a sweet new year. | | | | Hashanah. In addition, apple is used in chicken and |
| Whilst each of the Jewish festivals has its | | | | meat dishes on the Jewish New Year. |
| traditional Jewish foods, Rosh Hashanah has more | | | | Leek, spinach and gourd are all mentioned in the |
| than its fair share. After each food is eaten a | | | | Talmud in association with Rosh Hashanah. These |
| "yehi ratzon" (may it be Your will) is recited to | | | | are often prepared as patties, or cooked and |
| ask for a sweet new year. It is hoped that the | | | | eaten as a side dish. |
| eating of these foods on Rosh Hashanah will set | | | | Beetroot - in Hebrew this is known as "selek" |
| the tone for a sweet New Year. | | | | whose root means to remove - we hope that |
| The best known food associated with Rosh | | | | our sins will be removed. Beetroot is usually eaten |
| Hashanah is honey - apple is dipped in honey, and | | | | pickled as a salad, or roast. |
| it is added to many dishes. The reason for using | | | | Black eyed peas - known as rubiya in Hebrew |
| honey as a sweetener rather than sugar is that | | | | which is similar to "yirbu" or increase - we ask |
| the Land of Israel is described as a land flowing | | | | that our good deeds should increase. |
| with milk and honey. Traditional Jewish bread | | | | Head of a lamb or fish (vegetarians use a head of |
| known as challah is baked in a circle symbolizing | | | | lettuce) - we should be like the head and not the |
| the New Year and is eaten with honey. Many | | | | tail. In addition, fish symbolize fertility and are |
| recipes use honey in the dough in place of sugar. | | | | traditionally eaten on Rosh Hashanah. Ashkenazi |
| Carrots - the Hebrew for carrot is gezer which | | | | Jews traditionally eat gefilte fish on Rosh |
| has the same root as "gzar" a decree - we wish | | | | Hashanah. |
| to have good decrees bestowed upon us. Carrots | | | | When you are planning your New Year meals |
| are also naturally very sweet. Carrots are eaten | | | | don't forget to include lots of symbolic foods, but |
| as a side dish ("tzimmes") and can also be | | | | try not to overdo it on the honey! To find more |
| enjoyed in cakes. | | | | Rosh Hashanah recipes visit |
| Dates - the biblical source of honey. Date cakes | | | | Wishing everyone a healthy, happy New Year! |
| are traditional for Rosh Hashanah as are date | | | | |