Rosh Hashanah is tomorrow at sundown and although I’m a tad behind in my planning, we are getting ready. Thus far, I have put together the below menu. I’ve been perusing Claudia Roden’s The Book of Jewish Food for additional ideas, as she is one of my favorite cookbook authors. Of all time.
Although I will not be making the challah that is listed below, I thought others might enjoy using this recipe for the holiday. I think the recipe looks absolutely fabulous.
Gluten Free Rosh Hashanah
Starters
Tova’s Challah
Apples Dipped in Honey
Stuffed Mushrooms
Sides
Pomegranate Salad
Butternut Squash Soup
Entrees
Peach Chicken
Spinach Cake
Desserts
Honey Cake
Fruit Salad
The Jewish New Year is a time filled with symbolic foods and so is our menu. According to Roden, “It is a widespread custom to eat a piece of apple dipped in honey while a prayer is said asking God for a sweet year.” She also states that another custom is to eat a new fruit of the season, usually a pomegranate, hence the Pomegranate Salad above.
Roden further states that round foods such as meatballs are eaten to embody the aspiration that the year is full and rounded. I just might add meatballs to our menu, though either way, am planning on a fun filled family celebration come sundown tomorrow.
Anna says
Do you have a Paleo friendly Challah bread recipe??? My daughter’s 3rd grade class is celebrating all the Jewish holidays in class and will be doing Challah every friday. A number of students are gluten-free, and within that, most are Paleo and therefore not doing rice flours. Any help would be greatly appreciate!
Dena says
Shana tova u’metuka!
I want to share my Rosh Hashana traditional dessert, since it’s as simple as simple gets and always a crowd pleaser! Open a pomegranate and take out all the seeds. Pat dry, if there’s any juice on them. Melt white chocolate. Mix the seeds in. Drop as bite-size balls onto wax paper. Refrigerate. It makes the most wonderful candy that bursts in your mouth when you bite into it!
I experimented last night with my leftover dates — tried to make a power bar with flax seed, peanut butter, tehina, an egg. Melted choc chips on top for kid-friendly appeal. It tasted great but it didn’t bake properly. Do you have a REAL recipe along these lines? I’d love to have healthy “candy” bars on hand for my daughter’s lunchbox.
G’mar Chatima Tova!
Lynda says
Dena -she has a great power bar recipe over here:
http://www.elanaspantry.com/power-bars/
I think you’ll really like them.
Susanna says
Hi Elana!
I am a student at the Nutrition Therapy Institute in Denver. I am working on becoming wheat free as one of my teachers said I have an intolerance (not a full on allergy though). I am a displaced NYer though and I miss bagels! I was wondering if you’d be willing to work with me on developing a gluten free bagel, perhaps a sprouted version? I have not really gotten into gluten and wheat free baking at all and would appreciate your input on this project! I think it’d be really exciting if I could, at some point, develop it into a bagel deli here in Denver, much like what we had in NY! Let me know if you would be open to this! Thanks so much!
julie says
L’shana tova to you and your family.
Amy Green (Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free) says
I made the Honey Cake and it was so very good – the coffee, cinnamon, and cloves pair beautifully and the crumb is really tender. It’s fabulous.
Ninufar says
L’Shana Tova u Metukah!
Thank you so much for sharing your work and your artistry with us, and may the new year bring blessings as bountiful as the seeds of the pomegranate!
— Ninufar
recipes lover says
Shana Tova! Thanks for the menu idea, it inspired me.
Andrea says
Wow!! The challah looks unbelievably amazing!!!
shlomit says
Shana Tova Umetuka – all the way from Jerusalem.
Yaelian says
Shana Tova Elana! That spinach pie looks really good!
Sandy Gillett says
I made the spinach pie the day Elana posted it as I had all the ingredients and it is VERY delicious.
Gina says
http://www.amazon.com/Kaiser-Bakeware-Forme-Braided-Loaf/dp/B00006JSTX
Here’s the pan…
~M says
Has anyone tried baking coconut flour bread in that braided loaf pan? I have that pan too… :)
gfe-gluten free easily says
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Rosh Hashanah, Elana!
Shirley
Gina says
The recipe for the fabulous-looking spinach cake does not appear to be working. Must have!
For almond flour challah, I actually bought a pan that gives the bread a twisted appearance when it’s turned out. Unfortunately it’s not round, but can’t have everything!
L’Shana Tova! — Gina
VeggieGirl says
Wishing you a Happy New Year, Elana!
~M says
Ooooh, meatballs! I love that idea! Please post if you have a good recipe! I like getting all deceptively delicious with mine.
We’re also having your butternut squash soup, one of your kale salads (throwing in pomegranate arils for good measure) or the purple cabbage and orange one, your mustard lime chicken (on a whole organic chicken), and Karina’s pomegranate beef (pot roast). Oh, and your brownies. I may also experiment with a cinnamon-raisin bread.
~M says
PS- Shana tova!