I’ve mentioned before that Isaac is Jewish. Although I’m not, I like to celebrate with he and his family. It’s been really fun for me to learn the traditions and participate. Since Passover starts today at sundown I thought it would be appropriate to share a traditional Passover dish that I have come to love – charoset.
Charoset is a sweet, brown, pebbly paste of fruits and nuts, representing the mortar used by the Jewish slaves to build cities in Egypt. The mixture varies depending on region. For instance, a typical recipe from Eastern Europe would include nuts, apples, cinnamon and sweet wine whereas a Sephardic recipe is thicker and contains ingredients native to the Middle East such as raisins, figs and dates.
I’ve had several different varieties and liked them all, however being the dried fruit queen that I am, I fell in LOVE the Sephardic version. Luckily I was able to snag Isaac’s mom’s recipe so I could make it myself (and share it with you)!!
- 2 cups raisins
- 1 cup almonds (or pecans/walnuts)
- 4 oz dates (about 7), pitted
- 1 cup unsweetened apple sauce
- 4 dried fgs
- 1 or 2 tbsp of sweet wine or fruit juice (I used POM juice)
Preparation
- Grind dry nuts in food processor, remove and set aside.
- Put the nuts, raisins, dates and figs into the food processor a little at a time and add the apple sauce and wine/juice as you grind to help keep it moving.
- Pulse until the mixture looks like a coarse paste. Remove the charoset from the processor and place it in a sealed container.
- Enjoy – spread onto matzoh and serve!
- Refrigerate any leftovers for later use.
Charoset is traditionally served at the Passover Seder and used as a spread on matzoh but that doesn’t mean you have to be Jewish to enjoy it.
Maybe it’s the fruit and nut lover in me, but I honestly think this spread would be delicious on just about anything. I already have plans to have a big bowl of charoset oats this week and to try mixing the spread into plain yogurt. It would also be phenomenal as a spread for crackers or on a cheese plate. The possibilities are endless.
Enjoy your Monday. I have some fun posts coming up this week, including a recap of the Passover Seder dinner we are attending on Tuesday evening. Stay tuned…
Brittany Mullins, HHC
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for sharing such a traditional recipe. It looks great… very simple too!
Oh my goodness, I’ve never heard of this before but it looks right up my alley. You’re right- it seems like it would be amazing on top of oats!!
Thanks for the recipe! It looks great with the dates. I don’t have a seder to go to this year so maybe I will make that tonight!
LOVE seeing this on your blog!! Mine’s a bit different than the traditional since I don’t grind it all up… but Adam’s family does, so we’re having a charoset throwdown this year! I use orange juice and dried apricots in mine
A charoset throwdown sounds so fun!
Cheroset looks incredible. I bet you could add in some really delicious flavors (like, obviously, chocolate). And as you say, you could eat it on a lot of things.
Such as a spoon.
Yes! You could totally add chocolate, cocoa powder, cinnamon, cloves, etc.
And, a spoon is a great serving option. I’ve been taking advantage of that one this morning.
Love seeing Jewish recipes on your site. This one is a lot different than our family’s. Like Mara said, ours isn’t ground and we use apples and not applesauce. Ours is simple with apples, nuts, cinnamon and red wine. It’s one of my favorite Passover recipes too.
I have had the kind you are referring to as well. I think we’ll have both at the Seder we’re attending – best of both worlds.
I’ve never heard of this–thanks for teaching me something new!
Wow that looks really awesome. I’m thinking a multigrain tortilla roll-up with charoset and a nut butter spread in the middle
This is an awesome recipe! I’ve never thought of making a fruit paste for crackers… I’ve made jam, but this is way different. Thanks for sharing a family tradition with us. Also – where did you get that spoon? It’s so adorable!!
Wow, I’ve never heard of charoset before but it sounds delicious! What a flavorful combination! Thank you for sharing
Can’t wait to hear about the Seder! I’m a practicing Catholic but I always love hearing about other traditions and religions.
this looks and sounds delicious! Have a wonderful time celebrating with your husband!
mmmm how i love charoset! i once went to a seder where they had 3 kinds of charoset!
Oh my that looks and sounds so good! I’ve never heard of that before but I’m going to try it. I’m betting my kids will love it too
i’m not jewish, but all of my roommates in college were, so i always celebrated with them too! i’ve never had charoset, but i love matzoh!
How fun to learn something new! I’ve never seen this before but it definitely looks yummy
That sounds really yummy! Kind of like a Larabar in a bowl! I think it would be great with oats!
That sounds pretty sweet but wonderful! I love the thickness of it and anything with dates is ok in my book.
It is sweet! But delicious nonetheless.
I haven’t been to a Seder in years, and I forgot how much I love this stuff! Great informative and seasonal post. Hope you have a great week.
Not really related to the recipe, but I love your placemat!
oh man that Charoset looks soooo amazing!!!
I love charoset too. Ironically, I never thought it looked pretty. First time my children saw it and ate it, they grimaced in fear until it entered their mouths. After all, mortar isn’t supposed to be pretty, but in this case it is yummy.
I’m not Jewish either, but I am starting to collect recipes so that I can make an authentic meal! This looks perfect and I can’t wait to try it! If you have any more recipes, that would be wonderful!
Looks like a great spread to try! You’re right, this would be great on a lot of things or in a pb sammy
What a wonderful recipe. I was going to do a sedar plate on Holy Thursday. Do you mind if I link back to you?
Awesome Veronica. I don’t mind at all.
It almost looks like a thicker, more dense apple butter. Thanks for sharing!
PS. LOVE the header!! It’s perfect
I cannot imagine how you could go wrong with dried fruits and nuts. This looks delicious!
Just bookmarked this recipe!
I always wished I could partake in a traditional Passover dinner
Isaac and his family are very lucky to have a chef like you be a part of theirs! Can’t wait to see your recap and what other tricks you’ve got up your sleeve.
XO! Hope you’re enjoying this lovely weather my love!
I think about 90% of my friends in this city are Jewish so it’s great to see a recipe I can actually share with them when they invite me to holiday celebrations! Thanks girl and love your cute new header!
Mmm – great recipe. I just made it and I agree, I could use this mixture on everything! It’s like a spreadable Larabar.
omg lovee your new header!!
on top of oatmeal, please!
This looks delicious, like an extra amazing nut butter! Also, your new design is ADORABLE!!
yum! thanks for sharing! I bet this would be good as a chutney-like spread on a panini too!
Just made this but with Brazil nuts instead (all I have on hand!), but it turned out wonderfully!!! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe, girlie
xo!
Yay. so glad you like it!