CHAROSET() - CHAROSET

This paste-like, sweet spread is a prescribed part of the traditional Seder. Its mortar-like consistency is intended to remind Jews of the bricks and mortar our ancestors labored with as slaves in Egypt. Quite incidentally, it is delicious and tastes wonderful spread on matzah. This is the traditional charoset from the Ashkenazic (Eastern European) Jewish tradition; very different, but equally delicious, charoset recipes, using such ingredients as dates, raisins, and sesame, can be found in the various Sephardic communities (e.g., Yemenite, Persian, Turkish, Moroccan, etc.).

INGREDIENTS (2 cups)

150 g (1½ cups)

finely chopped nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts, filberts)

30 ml (2 Tbsp)

sugar or honey (or a mixture)

100-200 g (1-2 cups)

chopped or grated apples (about 4-6 medium apples)

2.5 ml (½ tsp)

cinnamon

sweet wine

PROCEDURE

(1)

Mix nuts, sugar, honey, apples and cinnamon together until well-blended.

(2)

Add wine slowly until the texture resembles a thick paste, like mortar.

(3)

Taste and adjust cinnamon, sugar, wine amounts.

NOTES

Some people prefer a chunkier, less smoothly-blended charoset.

If you live in an area where Kosher for Passover ground nuts (\fInot\fR groundnuts) are available, they save a lot of chopping time and lead to a smoother consistency. If you're lucky enough to have a Kosher for Passover food processor, you will also save a lot of arm exercise. And remember, kids love to chop!

RATING