Passover charoset made with raisins, dates, dried figs and almonds. This spread is lovely on matzoh!
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)!!Ā
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Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
April 18, 2011 at 6:56 amThanks for sharing such a traditional recipe. It looks great… very simple too!
megan @ the oatmeal diaries says
April 18, 2011 at 6:56 amOh 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!!
Missy Maintains says
April 18, 2011 at 7:25 amThanks 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!
Mara @ What's For Dinner? says
April 18, 2011 at 7:28 amLOVE 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 š
Eating Bird Food says
April 18, 2011 at 12:48 pmA charoset throwdown sounds so fun!
Victoria (District Chocoholic) says
April 18, 2011 at 8:22 amCheroset 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.
Eating Bird Food says
April 18, 2011 at 8:47 amYes! 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. š
Marci says
April 18, 2011 at 8:49 amLove 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.
Eating Bird Food says
April 18, 2011 at 9:04 amI 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. š
Elizabeth@The Sweet Life says
April 18, 2011 at 9:34 amI’ve never heard of this–thanks for teaching me something new!
Megan@eatmybeets says
April 18, 2011 at 9:46 amWow that looks really awesome. I’m thinking a multigrain tortilla roll-up with charoset and a nut butter spread in the middle
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit says
April 18, 2011 at 10:10 amThis 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!!
Natalia - a side of simple says
April 18, 2011 at 10:36 amWow, I’ve never heard of charoset before but it sounds delicious! What a flavorful combination! Thank you for sharing š Can’t wait to hear about the Seder! I’m a practicing Catholic but I always love hearing about other traditions and religions.
lisa @ early morning run says
April 18, 2011 at 10:44 amthis looks and sounds delicious! Have a wonderful time celebrating with your husband!
lynn @ the actor's diet says
April 18, 2011 at 11:19 ammmmm how i love charoset! i once went to a seder where they had 3 kinds of charoset!
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
April 18, 2011 at 12:01 pmOh 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 š
sarah (sarah learns) says
April 18, 2011 at 1:51 pmi’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! š
Jenny (Fit Girl Foodie) says
April 18, 2011 at 3:27 pmHow fun to learn something new! I’ve never seen this before but it definitely looks yummy š
Abby says
April 18, 2011 at 4:12 pmThat sounds really yummy! Kind of like a Larabar in a bowl! I think it would be great with oats! š
(what runs) Lori says
April 18, 2011 at 7:19 pmThat sounds pretty sweet but wonderful! I love the thickness of it and anything with dates is ok in my book. š
Eating Bird Food says
April 18, 2011 at 8:20 pmIt is sweet! But delicious nonetheless. š
Lauren @ vegology says
April 18, 2011 at 8:04 pmI 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.
Nadia says
April 18, 2011 at 8:28 pmNot really related to the recipe, but I love your placemat! š
Salah (My Healthiest Lifestyle) says
April 18, 2011 at 9:47 pmoh man that Charoset looks soooo amazing!!!
Paula says
April 18, 2011 at 10:01 pmI 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.
LauraJayne says
April 18, 2011 at 10:06 pmI’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!
eatingRD says
April 18, 2011 at 11:47 pmLooks like a great spread to try! You’re right, this would be great on a lot of things or in a pb sammy š
veronica gantley says
April 19, 2011 at 7:46 amWhat a wonderful recipe. I was going to do a sedar plate on Holy Thursday. Do you mind if I link back to you?
Eating Bird Food says
April 19, 2011 at 9:12 amAwesome Veronica. I don’t mind at all.
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
April 19, 2011 at 9:44 amIt almost looks like a thicker, more dense apple butter. Thanks for sharing!
Natalia - a side of simple says
April 19, 2011 at 2:18 pmPS. LOVE the header!! It’s perfect š
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says
April 19, 2011 at 2:44 pmI cannot imagine how you could go wrong with dried fruits and nuts. This looks delicious!
Katharina says
April 19, 2011 at 6:10 pmJust bookmarked this recipe!
I always wished I could partake in a traditional Passover dinner š 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!
James says
April 19, 2011 at 6:57 pmI 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!
Zarah says
April 19, 2011 at 9:25 pmMmm – great recipe. I just made it and I agree, I could use this mixture on everything! It’s like a spreadable Larabar.
kate@ahealthypassion says
April 19, 2011 at 10:41 pmomg lovee your new header!!
Alexis @ There She Goes says
April 20, 2011 at 12:46 pmon top of oatmeal, please!
Sues says
April 20, 2011 at 1:07 pmThis looks delicious, like an extra amazing nut butter! Also, your new design is ADORABLE!! š
natalie (the sweets life) says
April 20, 2011 at 1:46 pmyum! thanks for sharing! I bet this would be good as a chutney-like spread on a panini too!
Katharina says
April 1, 2012 at 10:36 amJust 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 š
xo!
Eating Bird Food says
April 1, 2012 at 1:20 pmYay. so glad you like it! š
Amanda says
April 23, 2016 at 4:10 pmThanks for sharing! I’m headed to my parent’s tonight for a Seder and made this since I had all of the ingredients already. My family is used to the traditional apple and wine so hopefully no one will mind a second addition! If not, I’ll take it home and it all week!
Brittany Mullins says
April 24, 2016 at 8:21 amAwww yay!! I hope you and your family enjoyed it. Happy Passover.