AP

Recipe: Apples, nuts, wine make a classic Passover charoset

Apr 5, 2022, 6:09 PM | Updated: Apr 6, 2022, 6:20 am

This Aug. 12, 2020 photo shows a recipe for Charoset, one of the 6 symbolic foods on the seder plat...

This Aug. 12, 2020 photo shows a recipe for Charoset, one of the 6 symbolic foods on the seder plate during Passover. (Cheyenne Cohen via AP)

(Cheyenne Cohen via AP)


              This Aug. 12, 2020 photo shows a recipe for Charoset, one of the 6 symbolic foods on the seder plate during Passover. (Cheyenne Cohen via AP)
            
              This Aug. 12, 2020 photo shows a recipe for Charoset, one of the 6 symbolic foods on the seder plate during Passover. (Cheyenne Cohen via AP)
            
              This Aug. 12, 2020 photo shows a recipe for Charoset, one of the 6 symbolic foods on the seder plate during Passover. (Cheyenne Cohen via AP)

It’s one of the six symbolic foods on the Passover seder plate — and it’s pretty delicious too.

Charoset (also spelled haroset) is usually made from sweet fruits, nuts and some red wine, all nods to verses in the Bible. You can keep eating it, of course, once its role on the seder table is done.

Passover begins this year on the evening of April 15 and runs for eight days. Seders, which tell the story of the Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt, are held on the first and second nights.

The word charoset is derived from the Hebrew for clay. It represents the mortar used by the enslaved people in the building of pyramids and other structures for Egyptian masters.

American Jews who celebrate Passover, at least in the Ashkenazi Jewish tradition, have probably had some combo of apples, nuts and red wine, possibly seasoned with ginger or cinnamon. There are plenty of other fruit and nut combinations to play with, especially in the Sephardic Jewish tradition. Dates, sesame seeds and coconut are some other ingredients that might be included.

This recipe is for a classic, apple-based charoset. But it’s not all that classic, because the nuts, which I am allergic to, are optional.

Walnuts are the most commonly used nut in charoset. Use any apples you like; some of my favorites are Gala, Fuji, Macouns and Macintosh. And while it’s traditional to use sweet wine, you can use any red wine you have open. Taste the mixture, and if it’s not as sweet as you like, add a bit more sugar.

As for texture, some people like charoset roughly chopped. I’ve also seen it ground almost to a paste, which I find less appealing.

Charoset is traditionally served with matzo, the unleavened bread that is a staple of Passover. It represents the bread that didn’t have time to rise as the Israelites quickly packed up and fled Egypt.

Charoset also makes a nice companion to the chicken or brisket you might be serving as the main course later in the evening. And it keeps for two to three days in the fridge in a tightly sealed container. Scoop it up with extra matzo for breakfast or a midday snack.

CHAROSET

(https://themom100.com/recipe/charoset/)

4 apples, such as Macintosh, Gala or Fuji, peeled, cored, and roughly chopped

2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste

1/3 cup sweet red wine, such as Manischewitz (any red wine will do; sweeten to taste)

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon (optional)

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch kosher salt

1 cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)

Place the apples in a food processor. Pulse a few times until as finely minced you like. If you don’t have a food processor, chop the apples by hand to the consistency you like and simply mix up everything in a bowl.

Turn the apples into a bowl and add the sugar, wine, lemon zest (if using), cinnamon, salt and nuts (if using).

Serve the charoset with matzo.

Other Passover Recipes:

Matzo brei: https://themom100.com/recipe/matzoh-brei/

Chocolate covered Caramel Matzo: https://themom100.com/recipe/chocolate-covered-caramel-matzoh/

___

Katie Workman writes regularly about food for The Associated Press. She has written two cookbooks focused on family-friendly cooking, “Dinner Solved!” and “The Mom 100 Cookbook.” She blogs at http://www.themom100.com/about-katie-workman. She can be reached at Katie@themom100.com.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

AP

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

1 day ago

Photo: Mountaineer Jim Whittaker has died at 95....

Gene Johnson, The Associated Press

Lou Whittaker, among the most famous American mountaineers, has died at age 95

Lou Whittaker, a legendary American mountaineer who helped lead ascents of Mount Everest, K2 and Denali, has died at age 95.

1 day ago

File photo: Former Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks in Washington on Jan. 18, 2024....

Associated Press

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP pick in 2000, dead at 82

Former U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in 2000, has died.

1 day ago

islamic state attack...

Vanessa Gera, The Associated Press

What we know after the Islamic State group claims responsibility for Moscow massacre

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for an attack on a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed at least 133 people.

4 days ago

Moscow shooting...

The Associated Press

Russia: 60 dead, 145 injured in concert hall raid; Islamic State group claims responsibility

Assailants burst into a concert hall in Moscow on Friday and sprayed the crowd with gunfire, killing over 60 people, injuring more than 100.

6 days ago

Photo: Britain's Kate, Duchess of Cambridge visits 282 (East Ham) Squadron, RAF Air Cadets, Cornwel...

Associated Press

Kate Middleton announces she has cancer, is undergoing chemotherapy

Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, says she is undergoing chemotherapy to treat cancer. She has been out of view since Christmas.

6 days ago

Recipe: Apples, nuts, wine make a classic Passover charoset