Charoset for Passover

Every Spring, we celebrate the Jewish Holiday, Passover. Charoset is one of the symbolic foods eaten at the seder representing mortar (mud) used to make adobe bricks that the Jewish people made when they were enslaved in Ancient Egypt. Below are 3 variations to try!

Traditional Version:

Ingredients:

• 3 cups finely diced apples (you choose the variety of apple you like)

• 1 cup walnuts, roasted

• 1-2 tsp cinnamon (your choice)

• 1/2- 3/4 cup Port

Here’s How:

1. Place large apple chunks in a food processor and pulse till desired size, not too fine, but not big chunks.

2. Remove and place in a bowl and then add the walnuts and pulse till chopped finely but not to a powder.

3. Add walnuts to apples, and season with remaining ingredients. Chill and serve at the Seder, or enjoy anytime with crackers (matzah)

Apricot Fig Pistachio Charoset

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup apricots

• 1/3 cup dried figs

• 1 1/4 cups roasted unsalted pistachios

• 1/3 cup dessert white wine

• 2 tsp lemon rind

• 1 T lemon juice

• 2-3 T fresh chopped mint

• 1/8 tsp coarse sea salt

Here’s How:

1. In a food processor, pulse apricots till they are minced and place in a bowl.

2. Pulse figs till they are minced. Remove and add to apricots.

3. Pulse pistachios till chopped fine but not a powder.

4. Mix into the bowl of fruit, add lemon, salt and mint at the end.

5. Chill and serve.

Date, Apricot, Dried Cherries and Almond Charoset

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup medjool dates, pitted

• 1/3 cup dried apricots

• 1/4 cup dried cherries

• 1 1/4 cup dry roasted almonds

• 1/2 tsp cardamom

• fresh ground pepper

• 2 tsp grated orange rind

• juice of 1/2 orange

Here’s How:

1. In a food processor, pulse dates (they easily form a paste but will mix in with rest of ingredients later) and place in a bowl.

2. Pulse apricots and add to the bowl.

3. Pulse cherries and add to the bowl.

4. Pulse almonds and add to the bowl.

5. Add remaining ingredients, mix and chill before serving.