Haroseth

When I married my Jewish husband, I knew that being a gentile wife meant that I would have to learn how to cook some new types of foods.  I quickly learned that each household quickly develops their own version of the basic recipes.  You are given basic building blocks for matzo ball soup, latkes, brisket, haroseth, etc., etc.  You then build upon those basics, and make each recipe your own.  Today, I am sharing my version of haroseth.   This is served during Passover, and represents the mortar that the Jews were forced to work with as slaves in ancient Egypt.  Personally, I think this is the best part of the whole meal.  It takes very few ingredients, and makes enough to feed an army.  My vegetarian grandson and I love to snack on it all week long.  And it's great anytime of the year.

You will need:
2 good size apples (I like to use gala)
1/2 cup walnuts (you can use any kind of nuts)
6 dates
1/2 teas cinnamon
1/2 teas sugar
1 3/4 teas honey
2 Tabs red wine, or grape juice

Core and rough chop the apples, (I like to leave my skin on the apples, some old timers will tell you to peel the apples, but I think there's lots of flavor and nutrition in the skin, and it adds more color).
Cut the dates in half and remove the seed.  (Most people don't add dates, but I think it adds more depth of flavor, and I figure the ancient Jews would have used anything they could gather, including dates!).

In a food processor, add the chopped apples, dates, and nuts.

Process for about 30 seconds to finely chop everything up.  (The older ladies will tell you that the apples need to be grated on a box grater, but I figure why not let the machine do the work for me, it's easier and so much faster).

 Transfer chopped apple/nut/date mixture to a medium bowl. Add the cinnamon, sugar, honey, and wine, (or grape juice).  The old timers will tell you that you can only use kosher Passover wine if you are making this for a true Passover service, but it's OK to use grape juice.

 Stir well.  Then refrigerate for approximately 1/2 hour.  This allows the honey to set up and bind the mixture together.

And there you have your haroseth, ready to eat on a piece of matzo cracker.  YUMMY!!

Give this a try.   The first time my husband tried it, he said, "what's different in here?"  When I told him I added some dates, he said "I like them, very good".

Even for a gentile girl, it's a very good thing.

Enjoy!