Leeks and Apples for Rosh Hashanah

As we are so close to Rosh Hashanah, there are so many things to say about it. I am focusing on food obviously. I come from a Sephardic family and both my parents are from Saloniki, Greece. I grew up on Jewish-Greek food. The holidays were the times when I could most see the differences between our customs and the others.

One of the most significant foods for Rosh Hashanah is apple dipped in honey. In my home my mother used to make many jars of apple jam to give to family and friends. We served this special apple jam with the prayer of a sweet New Year. Here’s the recipe, which you can also find in my cookbook.

When it comes to food memories, the holiday period is the time when they are strongest. Besides apple jam for Rosh Hashanah, my mother also used to make leek patties for the blessing:

יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה’ אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁיִּכָּרְתוּ אוֹיְבֵינוּ וְשׂוֹנְאֵינוּ וְכָל מְבַקְשֵׁי רָעָתֵנוּ

May it be Your will, Lord our G‑d and the G‑d of our fathers, that our enemies, haters, and those who wish evil upon us shall be cut down.

She used to make two versions – one vegetarian for me and one with minced meat. The recipe I share here and in my cookbook is for the vegetarian patties. They taste like heaven. No matter how many are made they’re gone in minutes without mentioning how many disappeared directly from the pan while making them. When I make them I keep counting them to reassure there will be enough to be served at dinner time.

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Happy & Sweet New Year

Apple Jam Recipe

Leek Patties

Find these recipes above among other 100 kosher recipes with a whole section for Jewish Holidays: Cook in Israel – Home Cooking Inspiration.   For a limited time get $5 when you purchase a signed copy, here:  http://cookinisrael.ravpage.co.il/Cook-in-Israel