Opposites Attract: Savory Versions of Your Favorite Jewish Desserts

On Purim we like to play the venahafoch game, where everything is not quite what it seems and in fact is usually the opposite. That makes it the perfect time to try some different versions of traditional foods. 

Have you ever tried a savory version of a dessert and been pleasantly surprised by how delicious it was? It may seem counterintuitive to take a usually sweet treat and turn it into a savory dish, but this trend has been gaining popularity in recent years. From savory rugelach to meat-filled kanafeh, these unexpected twists on traditional desserts are a testament to the adage that “opposites attract.”

Traditionally, rugelach are filled with sweet ingredients like cinnamon, chocolate, and fruit jam. However, lots of us have been experimenting with savory rugelach, filling them with ingredients like caramelized onions, sun-dried tomatoes and olives or smoked salmon, cream cheese, and chives. The result is a delectable pastry that still retains the buttery flakiness of the original but with a salty, savory twist.

Another dessert that has undergone a savory transformation is hamantaschen, the ultimate Purim treat. Hamantaschen are typically filled with sweet ingredients like poppy seed or fruit jam, but we have been experimenting with savory fillings like roasted vegetables, cheese, and herbs. This version is made with pita and a mix of sweet and savory fillings so you can choose. 

Moving beyond Ashkenazi cuisine, we have kanafeh, a Middle Eastern dessert made with shredded phyllo dough, cheese, and syrup. In traditional kanafeh, the cheese is typically sweet and the syrup is made with rose water or orange blossom water. However, in savory kanafeh, the cheese is replaced with ground meat and we kept the syrup as an ode to other savory Middle Eastern meat pies. This unexpected twist on a traditional dessert is sure to surprise and delight your taste buds.

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Lastly, we have the savory yogurt bowl with za’atar. This dish takes the traditionally sweet yogurt bowl and turns it into a savory breakfast or snack. Za’atar, a Middle Eastern spice blend made with thyme, sumac, and sesame seeds, is sprinkled on top of a bowl of plain yogurt, along with cucumbers, radishes, olives, and other savory ingredients. The result is a refreshing and satisfying dish that is perfect for a light meal or snack.

So, why are we so drawn to these unexpected savory desserts? One theory is that the combination of sweet and savory flavors creates a complex and interesting taste profile that keeps our taste buds guessing. Another theory is that we are drawn to the novelty and excitement of trying something new and unexpected. 

Have a happy Purim.