Recipe Roundups

40 Innovative Ways to Use Simanim + Bonus Simanim Printable!

Kosher.com Staff September 3, 2018

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On the first night of Rosh Hashanah, it’s traditional to eat certain foods at the festive meal to symbolize our wishes and hopes for the year ahead. The simanim/symbolic foods can be eaten as-is, but why not incorporate them into your dishes?  Get innovative with these 40 delicious recipes which highlight these beautiful symbolic foods this Rosh Hashanah. 

 

Click here for your own simanim printable that includes all the blessings and explanations behind this meaningful Rosh Hashanah tradition.

 

Apples & Honey (check out our apple & honey roundup for more ideas!)
Apple is dipped into honey in order to merit a sweet new year.

 

  1. Piquant Apple Slaw by Brynie Greisman

  2. Blueberry Honey Cake with Hazelnut Streusel by Melinda Strauss

  3. Apple Smores Tartlets by Faigy Grossman

  4. Honey Cardamom Cookies by Rivky Kleiman

  5. Caramelized Apple Tacos by Chavi Feldman

     

 
 
 
Carrot
The yiddish word for carrots is “mehren”, which resembles the word “more” ; we pray that our merits should increase and be “more”.
 
 
  1. Spiced Roasted Carrot Hummus by Shana Balkin

  2. Roasted Balsamic-Glazed Sweet Carrots by Zehava Krohn

  3. Carrot and Apple Soup by Sara and Yossi Goldstein

  4. Oven-Baked Tzimmes by Estee Kafra

  5. Crispy Chicken with Tsimmes by Liz Alpern and Jeffrey Yoskowitz

 
 
 
Leek or Cabbage
The hebrew word for leek/cabbage is “karsi” which means to destroy. We pray that our enemies should be destroyed.
 
 
  1. Farro Simanim Salad with Silan Vinaigrette by Shoshie Steinhart

  2. Turkish Braised Leeks with Olives (Prassa Con Azeitunas) by Gil Marks

  3. Simanim Personal Pies by Brynie Greisman

  4. Meaty Leek Soup by Faigy Grossman

  5. Potato Leek Knish by Esther Ottensoser

 
 
Beets 
The hebrew word for beets is “silka” which resembles the word “lesalek” , to remove our adversaries.
 
 
  1. Spinach, Apple, and Beet Salad by Kiki Fisher

  2. Beet-Infused Couscous by Chavi Feldman

  3. Beets and Berries Salad by Rivki Rabinowitz

  4. Silky Roasted Beet Hummus by Shana Balkin

  5. Red and Purple Cabbage Salad by Brynie Greisman

 
 
 
Dates
The hebrew word for date is “tamar” which is similar to the word “yitamru”, to be consumed.  We pray that our enemies be consumed.
 
  1. Fall-Inspired Red Cabbage Salad by Temi Philip

  2. Silan-Chocolate-Pecan Muffins by Sweet Moments: Rega Matok

  3. Kofta-Stuffed Dates by Chanie Apfelbaum

  4. Silan Chicken by Sina Mizrahi

  5. Sticky Date Pudding by Chavi Feldman

 
 
 
Gourd
The Hebrew word for gourd is “kara” which can mean “tear” when spelled with an ayin or “call out” when spelled with an aleph. We pray that our sentence be “torn” and our merits be proclaimed.
 
 
  1. Simanim Salad by Chef Zissie

  2. Wild Rice with Roasted Butternut Squash by Faigy Grossman

  3. Butternut Squash Soup with Radicchio from the Dining In cookbook
  4. Caramelized Pumpkin Salad by Rivky Kleiman

  5. Crispy Coated Squash with Brandy Glaze by Rivky Kleiman

 
 
 
Pomegranate
Our merits should increase like the seeds of a pomegranate.
 
 
  1. Pomegranate and Red Wine Reduction Glazed Beef by Sharon Lurie

  2. Chicken Skewers over Pomegranate Salad by Rivky Kleiman

  3. Chocolate Pomegranate Cookies by Renee Chernin

  4. Pomegranate Chicken Filled with Fruity Wild Rice by Sina Mizrahi

  5. Pomegranate Honey-Glazed Salmon by Naomi Nachman

 
 
 
Fish/Head of Fish
We pray to be fruitful and multiply like fish and be the “head” and not the “tail”
 
 
  1. Red Snapper with Charred Potatoes, Tomatoes and Lemons by Sabrina Oziel

  2. Whole Fish with Olives by Chef Zissie

  3. Salt-Crusted Fish by Estee Kafra

  4. Tabouli-Stuffed Branzino with Sumac Pickled Onion by Shushy Turin

  5. Festive Stuffed White Fish by Chavi Feldman

 

Check out our complete collection of Rosh Hashanah recipes for mains, sides, soups, desserts, and more inspiration for the holiday.

Article Tags

apple carrots dates holiday meals honey innovative jewish foods pomegranate recipe roundup rosh hashanah simanim tradition

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