ROSH HASHANAH TRADITIONAL DINNER MORE THAN THE STEREOTYPE

Sundown, September 29, is the beginning of the High Holy Days, the Hebrew calendar year of 5780.  Jewish people around the world will be celebrating the start with family, friends and most likely a huge meal. A century old immigration brought the opening of several kosher delis in New York that had a notoriety of becoming, “Jewish food.” “Ashkenazi,” was the term used for Jews coming from Eastern Europe with cuisines from Poland, Russia and Germany. 

 

Looking back to the 17^th and 18^th century we find that it was the Sephardic settlers from countries such as Brazil, Spain and Italy that established the synagogues and traditions in American colonial port cities such as: New York; Philadelphia; Newport, R.I.; Charleston, S.C;  and Savannah, Georgia. 

 

Many Sephardic Jews hold a Rosh Hashanah “seder” where each item or recipe symbolizes a wish or blessing for prosperity and health in the coming year.

Challah bread is simply a tradition around the world and used as a symbol of “breaking bread” as each member tears a piece from a loaf. What is added to the bread in baking is less traditional but symbolizing health (seeds) and sweetness (honey, a topping of cinnamon sugar).  You can even go all out by preparing chocolate challah cranberry rolls with citrus sugar. 

Gefilte fish is all too common. Let’s go for an Italian Sweet and sour recipe using: raisins, honey, apple or red wine vinegar. With fish multiplying quickly, it is eaten in hopes that the coming year will be one of plenty.  In some communities, there is significance associated with fish heads. These have historically been placed on the Rosh Hashanah table, with a special prayer asking to be like the head and not the tail. 

Talk to Vinny or Pat at Crossbay Seashell Fish Market at 161-14 Crossbay Blvd. in Howard Beach for great choices of whole white flesh fish as well as a request for a fish head.  You can certainly enjoy a side of fish cheeks that when cut out may be the size of scallops.  Take advantage of picking their brains (Viny and Pat, not the fish) to find out how mild or stronger tasting you choice should be expected.  

Seven is a lucky number in Jewish tradition, so a soup or stew featuring seven vegetables is a Rosh Hashana favorite among Sephardic Jews. With Moroccan origins the vegetables are served over couscous.  This one includes: onions, peeled and diced turnip, green and yellow zucchini, diced ripe tomatoes, shredded white cabbage, and string beans.  Add ginger, turmeric, cumin and top with finely chopped dried apricots or raisins.

  

Apples dipped in honey are as just as much of a tradition as eating the seeds of a pomegranate which expresses the wish for a year filled with as many merits as a pomegranate has seeds.

One of the best sources for fruit and vegetables is another “mom and pop” market, Valentino Food Market located at 66-64 Fresh Pond Rd in Ridgewood. They are open from 7am to 10pm on most days. My suggestion is to shop early morning as due to both popularity and low prices it tends to get quite crowded. If fresh figs are not available ask for a jar of fig jam.   Whatever it is that they have tasted great both on bread as well as a delicious added flavor in cooking.  

Considering that none of the above suggestions fall into either the meat category, you can decide by either including dairy or meat but not both….if you are keeping a kosher meal  

 

For instance, create a chicken soup that includes beef bones for a great stock.  You can either fill the pot with a whole chicken or chicken backs will do. 

I have two recommendations for dessert of which neither are cake: If you haven’t used meat, head on over to Eddie’s Sweet Shop at 105-29 Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills.  I love that they make their own ice cream. I recently tried the banana and clear that real bananas are being used. Cost for a pint is about the same as the fancy ones with additives and so much better. 

Not that you shouldn’t  get both, but if you are choosing a meal with meat, ices from The Lemon Ice King of Corona will also have your guests drooling. Located at 52-02 108^th Street owners Mike and Vincent use real fruit. Purchase a pint of the original lemon as the perfect palate cleanser. 

“Happy New Year” is not what you would say as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur and the only Jewish holidays that are considered to be “Holy Days” with the 10 days reserved for days of atonement. L'shanah Tovah is the correct greeting.  I say, “May the new year bring us one of no anti-semitism.”