Rosh Hashanah, or Jewish New Year, is one of my favorite holidays. I get so many requests for my Paleo Rosh Hashanah Menu and healthy Jewish High Holiday recipes, that I had to share it all with you here!
When is Rosh Hashanah?
I love Rosh Hashanah because it generally falls around the end of summer, or early autumn when a bounty of fruits and vegetables are at peak harvest.
It’s a wonderful time to look back on the year that’s passed and to give thanks for the harvest in the fields and in life. It’s also a good time to set intentions for the upcoming year. This year, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday, September 18th.
Apples Dipped in Honey
Rosh Hashanah is a time when our menu is filled with symbolic foods. According to one of my favorite food historians, Claudia Roden, at Jewish New Year, 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.”
What Foods are Eaten at During Jewish New Year?
Another custom is to eat a new fruit of the season, usually a pomegranate, hence the Pomegranate Salad I include at our High Holiday table. Roden adds that round foods such as meatballs are eaten to embody the aspiration that the year ahead is full and rounded.
Paleo Rosh Dinner Hashanah Menu
Below is our Paleo Rosh Hashanah Menu! It’s full of healthy High Holiday dishes that celebrate the season in a way that won’t leave you stuffed and overfull. After eating this healthy food you’ll be bursting with energy, satiated, and satisfied.
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Starters
Here are my favorite starters for our Jewish New Year celebration.
- Apples Dipped in Honey
- Stuffed Mushrooms
Sides
If you’re looking for low-carb Rosh Hashanah side dishes like low-carb kugel you are in luck.
Dinner
For Rosh Hashanah dinner we usually have chicken or beef. Serve your brisket with Low-Carb Mashed Cauliflower like we do in the photo above.
- Brisket
- Perfect Roast Chicken
- Chicken Marbella from Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry
Desserts
Here are some healthy low-carb Rosh Hashanah desserts that are perfect at the end of any High Holy Day meal.
Low-Carb Rosh Hashanah Recipes
Since I’m following a Keto Diet, I’ll be sticking with the low-carb fare on this menu. With the boys at school, we’ll be having a very small gathering of just the two of us, and I’m only making one entree –the Brisket.
I’ll feast on the Stuffed Mushrooms, and leave the fruit out of my salad. I’ll skip dessert, but if you’re in need of something sweet to end your meal, check out my Low-Carb Dessert Recipes page! There are so many incredible things to choose from, but I think the Low-Carb Strawberry Shortcake is a showstopping High Holiday dessert!
Happy New Year!
Many blessings to all of you my dearest readers for a gorgeous and health-filled New Year! Leave a comment and let me know about your family traditions as well as what your favorite dishes are to serve for Rosh Hashanah.
And if you’re planning ahead, check out my Paleo Yom Kippur Breakfast Menu.
This post, first published in 2009, is an oldie but goodie from the archives that I’ve updated.
julie says
L’shana tova to you and your family.
Elana says
Thanks Julie! Shana Tova to you and yours :-)
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.
Elana says
Thanks Amy! I’m so glad to hear this was 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
Elana says
Ninafar, Shana Tova!
recipes lover says
Shana Tova! Thanks for the menu idea, it inspired me.
Elana says
You’re welcome!
~M says
Has anyone tried baking coconut flour bread in that braided loaf pan? I have that pan too… :)
shlomit says
Shana Tova Umetuka – all the way from Jerusalem.
Elana says
Shlomit, Shana Tova to you!
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.
gfe-gluten free easily says
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Rosh Hashanah, Elana!
Shirley
Elana says
Thanks Shirley!
VeggieGirl says
Wishing you a Happy New Year, Elana!
Elana says
Thanks VeggieGirl!
~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!