If you’re looking for Healthy Rosh Hashanah Recipes, you’ve come to the right spot. My sweet spot is transforming Traditional Jewish Recipes into dishes that are nutritious, delicious, beautiful and satisfying. Holidays are no exception…my Rosh Hashanah Menus are loaded with goodness and recipes that won’t weigh you down.
My food story is enmeshed with Holiday Traditions and symbolic foods. Rosh Hashanah Recipes that have been handed down for generations help us feel connected to our ancestors and our heritage. A festive meal, loaded with traditional foods is an integral part of how we celebrate the Jewish holidays.
This post has been updated from the original published in September 2015.
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Traditional Rosh Hashanah Recipes
Although I do feel that recipes that hold a certain nostalgia are crucial to our holiday experience, I have no problem taking liberty with some of my grandmothers Traditional Rosh Hashanah Recipes and updating them to represent a more modern Rosh Hashanah Menu. Many traditional dishes have been replaced with vegetable-forward dishes…and guess what? Nobody is complaining…even when I put out an entirely vegan rosh hashanah meal.
Classic Recipes with a Modern Twist
Kugel is the best example I can think of. My grandmother made potato kugel with shmaltz….I make an insanely delicious cauliflower kugel...and the grated onions are what give it the classic kugel vibe. What about grandmas Lokshen Kugel? Oh, you better believe I gave that noodle kugel a dairy free makeover…and my Apple Noodle Kugel is a staple at every Jewish Holiday meal!
Another Classic Jewish Recipe that I’ve made over is Tzimmes. My Grandma made sweet potato tzimmes that included ingredients like brown sugar and flanken…I use some chopped prunes in my delicious vegan tzimmes recipe instead, along with sweet potatoes and other root vegetables and find that it’s a perfect combination.
Can we talk chopped liver? There wasn’t a holiday that my Grandmother didn’t make her traditional chopped liver for. I encourage you to try my vegetarian recipe for chopped liver…I captured the vibe, for sure.
Rosh Hashanah is one of my favorite holidays to cook for. I love to put my unique spin on the festive meal, bringing my vegan holiday kitchen into the equation along with a delicious vegetarian recipe or two (EVERYTHING is dairy-free, but there are occasionally eggs in my recipes).
Healthy food has no season, no occasion and it definitely NEVER goes out of style. Rosh Hashanah Recipes to celebrate the Jewish New Year are no exception….healthy doesn’t mean any compromise. Let me show you how healthy food can taste incredible, look beautiful and have everyone raving.
Why do we eat sweet foods on Rosh Hashanah?
Sweet foods symbolize our hope for a sweet life, filled with blessings, in the coming year.
HEALTHIER ALTERNATIVES TO SUGAR: Date syrup, date paste, (whole foods plant based sweetener) honey, pure maple syrup.
Processed white and brown sugar are known to have negative effects on overall health and well being. White and brown sugar consumption is associated with higher blood pressure, inflammation, weight gain, diabetes, fatty liver disease, cancer, fatigue, acne, wrinkles and many other health ailments.
Sweet recipes for a sweet year that don’t include refined sugar:
Rosh Hashanah Apple Recipes
On Rosh Hashanah it is customary to eat apple slices that have been dipped in honey. With so many delicious recipes that feature apples, I decided to dig a little deeper.
Apples symbolize the many blessings that Jacob received. I love this association and think about all the good things available to us while I make a blessing over the apples every year.
Now that I live in the “apple-belt” I will add seasonality to that list! Timing….what great timing to have the apple eating holiday show up just as the apples are being harvested! Although sukkot is notoriously the harvest festival, I’m adding Rosh Hashanah onto that list! Plus there are so many amazing fall recipes that use apples
Side Dishes for Rosh Hashanah
I don’t know about you, but when the veggie side dishes are good, I don’t need a main meal. You know what I’m saying? Yeah, I start with the sides when I make my Rosh Hashanah menu too….what about you?
Rosh Hashanah Salad Recipes
I know, not everyone will want to take up valuable plate real estate with salad….but, there will be plenty of folks that appreciate a good salad on Rosh Hashanah. Afterall, it’s the greens and the veggies that will help keep our guts healthy and our bowels regular during this season of indulgence. This is (no surprise here) my favorite category and I bet you’ll be surprised how many take you up on the offer for tasty, beautiful salads.
Rosh Hashanah Soup Recipes
If you’re serving a sit down meal, it’s great to break up the courses by serving soup. Healthy soup recipes use seasonal ingredients and Rosh Hashanah is loaded with symbolic foods like leeks that are perfect for soup! Soup is something you can make in advance and freeze…a great way to free you up for last minute tasks.
Plant Based Main Dishes for Rosh Hashanah
You don’t have to be vegan to appreciate a meatless entree. When the choices are delish and presented well, everyone will want to have some. Rosh Hashanah Dinner looks different for everyone. Maybe you’re serving Rosh Hashanah Lunch and some folks know they will eat brisket or chicken at dinner…..they will appreciate an alternative and these Vegan Rosh Hashanah Dishes will be just what they’re looking for.
Rosh Hashanah Desserts
No gathering or holiday meal is complete without delicious desserts. Am I right? Rosh Hashanah desserts include many seasonal fruits as well as perennial favorites and traditional recipes too….and let’s not forget about the chocolate!
Appetizers for Rosh Hashanah
Let’s be real….Rosh Hashanah appetizers are really just a way to keep folks busy until the main event…or until everyone has arrived, right? Sometimes we do lunch after Shul that is appetizers only and then skip them totally in the evening so we have more room for Rosh Hashanah dinner….what’s your custom?
For me, Rosh Hashanah has always been a time of introspection, a time of renewal and a time to connect with myself and those I love. I like to take stock of the past year, and think about the year to come.
If this is your first time hosting a Rosh Hashanah Celebration, Mazal Tov! The high holidays are the perfect time to take on a new Jewish tradition. Keep calm, Happy Rosh Hashanah and just know that you got this…and I’m here to help!
Wishing you a healthy and sweet New Year. One that is filled with love and light, revealed goodness and peace for all….and a Rosh Hashanah table full of loving guests and good food.
Let me know in the comments what you’re making this year! Traditional Rosh Hashanah Food, Modern Rosh Hashanah Dishes, or maybe a combo? Do you like the vegan Rosh Hashanah Recipes?
As, always, if you make one of my recipes, please leave me a 5 star rating with a comment…..and definitely take photos, post them on Instagram a tag me @dkhealthcoach #debraklein
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