I had heard a lot about the food customs practiced during Rosh Hashannah which is the Jewish New Year. I got an opportunity to taste the variety of the food a few years back and just loved the traditional foods which were eaten during this time. Here are some food customs in Jewish New Year which are very popular.

Honey is the most popular food  which is used in many dishes. Israel is known as land of milk and honey – thus, honey has a great importance in the food customs of the region. Here are some interesting food customs which are practiced during this time.

Challah is usually dipped into honey on the first night of the Rosh hashannah celebrations. Blessings are said over challah during this time. Apple slices are also slowly dipped into the honey and a prayer is said, requesting God for a very sweet year ahead. Apples which are dipped in honey are usually served to children as a part of the custom…at homes or even in religious schools.

Round challah:  These round challah loaves are considered to be a symbol of the New Year. Challah is a very popular braided egg bread which is served by the Jews during Shabbat. During the new Year celebrations, these loaves of bread are given the shape of a spiral and are rounded to symbolize continuity of creations. At many places, you will find that honey and raisins are added to this, to make the loaves of bread very sweet.

Honey cakes – Honey cakes are made in most Jewish homes as a way to welcome the New Year. This recipe is said to have been passed down through generations and each household prepares the food in their own way. This sweet honey cake is made using a variety of spices which includes allspice, cloves and cinnamon. There are cakes which are made using tea, orange juice and also coffee for adding a flavor. If you wish, you can add some rum too for added flavors.

New fruits – These are eaten as a custom food of this celebration. On the second night of these celebrations, a new fruit is eaten as a way of thanking God for keeping everyone alive and bringing them into this new season of happiness. This is a ritual which helps people to appreciate the different fruits which are offered to us by nature and thanking God for keeping us alive to enjoy all these fruits. Pomegranate is popularly eaten as the new fruit of the season. It is believed that Israel has always been popular for its pomegranates. This fruit is very nutritious with 613 seeds – it is nutritious and can be used in many recipes.

Rosh HaShanah  actually means "head of the year". This is one of the reasons why a fish head is eaten during this festival and enjoyed as a holiday meal. It is also a custom to eat fish because it is a symbol of abundance and fertility.

Image credits: tellandyheswrong.wordpress.com, foodpluspolitics.com