Tzimmes is a traditional side dish of carrots, sweet potatoes and dried fruits served on Rosh Hashanah (for a sweet New Year), Sukkot, and Pesach. Prunes are essential to the dish and my father loved prunes, which reminded him of home. The longer tzimmes is baked and stirred, the deeper and richer the flavors. Tzimmes is sometimes served on Shabbat; however, it’s a special dish most often reserved for the holidays. When we say “Don’t make a tzimmes,” it means “don’t make a big deal out of it.” My father added short ribs to tzimmes; however, many people today prefer the vegetarian version which follows.

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