Written on
The new year is here—Rosh Hashanah, that is. This sacred celebration isn’t just about marking the creation of the world, but also fresh beginnings, and like any holiday, food is at the heart of it all. To help you ring in the Jewish new year, we’ve rounded up seven of our favorite corn-free spins on the classic holiday dishes—from Matzo Ball Soup to Challah—that are perfect for sharing.
Before we dive into the recipes, let’s take a quick refresher on the traditional foods of Rosh Hashanah. This holiday is all about reflecting on the past year and manifesting good things for the next. Apples and honey are the stars of the table, symbolizing hopes for a sweet year ahead. You’ll also find pomegranates, dates, beets, and leeks making regular appearances. Read on to discover delicious takes on traditional recipes for a promising new year.
Apple Cider Brisket – A perfect centerpiece for your Rosh Hashanah table, this savory brisket is cooked with the sweet tartness of apples and hard cider, adding an interesting twist to the traditional recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 brisket (3 pounds)
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- black pepper
- 2 Tbsp flavorless oil (suggest: pure olive oil or avocado oil)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 Tbsp fennel seeds
- 1 Tbsp dried sage
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 (12-ounce) bottle hard apple cider
- 1 large apple, cut into thin wedges
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 cup dry white wine
Matzo Ball Soup – This adaption of Ina Garten’s classic is a schmaltz-free version of fan fave Matzo Ball Soup and is perfect for a cozy start to your meal, made with authentic matzo meal for a hearty and warming dish.
Ingredients
- 4 extra-large eggs, separated
- ½ cup good chicken stock
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup minced fresh parsley
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for egg whites
- 1 cup matzo meal
Sweet & Sour Braised Cabbage – Now onto the side dishes! This easy dish has a sweet and tangy punch, combining apples and pomegranate juice for a crunchy, vibrant flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced into half moons
- 1 large honeycrisp apple, diced small
- 1 small head of red cabbage, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
- 1 1/2 tsp sumac
- pinch of allspice
- 2 tbsp honey, or to taste
Tzimmes – A beloved holiday staple, this sweet carrot and prune stew is slow-cooked to perfection, bringing warmth and comfort to any Rosh Hashanah meal.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 lb flour (a mixture of white flour and coarse semolina is optimal)
- 2 white onions
- 1 lb schmaltz — unrendered/raw chicken fat (or 3 sticks margarine)
- a squirt of honey
- 4-5 prunes (optional)
- 1 cup brown sugar (swap with regular sugar)
- 1 lb carrots peeled and sliced into rounds
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground pepper
- 1 white onion
- Salt and pepper
- A piece brisket or flanken
Roasted Beets with Pesto – Earthy roasted beets paired with a bright cilantro and basil pesto bring a colorful, herbaceous freshness to the table.
Ingredients
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 packed cup cilantro leaves, washed and dried
- 2 packed cups basil leaves, washed and dried
- 2 bunches medium-sized beets, scrubbed and ends and tops removed
Apple Honey Challah – This braided beauty combines sweet honey and tart apples into a light and fluffy challah, making it an irresistible treat to kick off the new year.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water, divided
- 1/4 ounces active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 large egg
- 3 large egg yolks
- 3/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 5-7 cups flour
- 3 medium granny smith apples
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar
Full instructions here (Alternatively, here is a plain Challah recipe)
Date Honey Cake – Rich and moist, this spiced date cake sweetened with honey is a nod to tradition and offers a perfect ending to your holiday feast.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces whole dates (3/4 cup)
- 1 cup cake flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (be cautious of this ingredient as it sometimes contains corn)
- 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Pinch nutmeg
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil (swap for a corn-free oil like olive or coconut)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (swap with regular sugar)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
