Rosh Hashanah signifies the end of the Hebrew calendar year. It is the first of the High Holidays, a ten-day period that ends with Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year. Rosh Hashanah provides us with an opportunity to reflect, recognize our shortcomings and better ourselves in the year ahead. This holiday is the start of a New Year and gives us the chance to improve the way we approach the world, and in turn become better people.

While holiday traditions may vary from home to home, Rosh Hashanah desserts feature symbolic foods that signify our hope for a sweet New Year and are central to the holiday tradition.  We always enjoy fruit that has recently come in to season (“new fruit”), this fruit is more often than not pomegranate.

This ritual reminds us to  appreciate the fruits of the earth.  The head of the fish is also often served, symbolizing the literal translation of Rosh Hashanah which means “head of the year”.  Some may, but while we do serve the fish head we do not eat it!  Challah, as most of you probably know, is a staple.  During Rosh Hashanah the loaves are shaped into spirals or rounds symbolizing the continuity of Creation.

At our house we love to add raisins to the Challah making it extra “sweet”!  No Rosh Hashanah is complete without apples and honey.  Both apples and challah are dipped in honey again representing sweetness!

Here are some of our favorite Rosh Hashanah recipes, we’ve found and perfected through the years.

This is one of the best challah recipes we’ve tested over the years.  It is especially wonderful with raisins and topped with cinnamon sugar!  Oh and if you need help braiding a round challah check out this video. Give it a try.

We may have mentioned this pomegranate-beet salad before, but we must share it again. Try it, you’ll see why!

 From our Papa Ben’s Kitchen family to yours we wish you a Sweet New Year!