Coconut is the base of Surinam charoset. The ingredients reflect the tropical source of this recipe. Originally, Surinam cherries were simmered and added to the fresh fruits. Today, since most cherries available do not have the same taste, cherry jam is used instead, however, you may be able to find real Surinam cherries under the name “pitango” in hebrew in Israel around the time of Passover and if you do, you will love the flavor they provide.
Some families replace one or two of the ingredients with peaches or pineapple. Like other Sepharadim, Surinamese Jews wouldn’t only make charoset for the seder— they make enough to eat all week long with matzah. Preparation time does not include soaking.
Recipe from Mrs. Irma Robles Lopes Cardozo Z”L
7 Fruit Charoset from Surinam
Servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups unsweetened coconut
- 2 cups walnuts or almonds chopped
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 cups raisins
- 1 1/2 cups dried apples
- 1 1/2 cups prunes or plums
- 1/2 cup cherry jam or Surinam cherries/ Pitango in Hebrew
- 1 cup sweet red wine
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
Instructions
- In a large bowl, cover the dried fruit with water. Soak overnight in the refrigerator to soften. The next day, finely dice all the fruit.
- In a large saucepan over low heat, add the ground coconut. Add the wine and bring to a simmer. Add the nuts and sugar. Keep stirring to prevent the coconut from sticking to the pan.
- When the wine and coconut mixture is well combined (neither too wet or too dry), add the fruits, continuing to stir until ingredients have come together. Stir in the cherry jam.
- Remove from heat. Add cinnamon and mix thoroughly. Keep refrigerated until serving.
Eager to make your Surinam Charosets but 2 questions:
1. Ingredients list unsweetened coconut. Intructions say “ground coconut.” Is “ground” a misprint?
2. Have some nut allergy folks. Do the nuts have to be added to the coconut/wine mixture over the heat until mixture comes together or can the nuts be withheld and added after heating (so I can end up with some with and some without nuts) or does the heating with the nuts make a difference?
Thank you!
Ground referee to desiccated, sometimes they are called different things and sometimes they are sold sweetened so in this case unsweetened ground or dessicated. And you can add the nuts in later.
This is a recipe from mrs. Irma Lopes Cardozo Robles as previously published in the New York Times as well as by Joan Nathan. Please mention her name on your website as it is her original recipe. Thank you.