Penny Eisenberg: Recipe

Yummm

Charoses

Charoses is a symbol of the mortar that was used to build the Pyramids, and thus reminds us of our bondage. It may be a mixture of apples, nuts and wine, or may include dates, raisins, oranges, and other dried fruit combinations. When combined with bitter herb (moror) it symbolizes not only the bitterness of slavery, but also the sweetness of redemption. It’s hard to pinpoint how many this recipe will feed. Only a tablespoon or so is necessary for the ceremony, but our guests scarf it down even during the meal! I like to plan at least 1/2 apple per guest, and maybe more.

Pareve
Serves 6-12

6 medium apples (we like Fuji and McIntosh,
but Golden Delicious and Granny Smith can be mixed in)
2 medium lemons
2-1/4 cups shelled walnuts or pecans
1 tablespoon cinnamon, or to taste
2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
1/4 - 1/2 cup grape or blackberry sweet kosher wine

1. Peel, core, and cut the apples into chunks. Place in a large bowl, and squeeze one of the lemons over the apples. Toss to combine.

2. Place the nuts in a food processor with the metal blade. Pulse-process until the nuts are coarsely chopped. Add the apple chunks, and pulse-process until the apples are chopped medium-fine. Squeeze on the other lemon.

3. Add the cinnamon and sugar, and pulse once, just to combine.

4. Add the wine by tablespoonful, pulsing once or twice to combine. Add more wine as needed for moistness and taste. Refrigerate at least 2 hours but no longer than 24 hours before serving. The winy taste will mellow as the mixture marinates in the refrigerator.

The amount of wine and spices to add is strictly a matter of taste, as is the texture of the charoses. Some prefer a finely processed mixture, while others prefer a very chunky one. The wine can be mixed in by hand if a very coarse mixture is desired, or it can be processed as much as you want. Keep testing as you go, and make note of your preferences so that you can duplicate results from year to year. Your kids, especially, will be very disappointed if you make it mushy when they like it chunky, and vice versa!