Tzimmes

Tzimmes is a traditional and delicious Jewish dish that usually includes carrots and other root vegetables, dried fruit such as prunes or raisins. It's cooked over low heat and typically sweetened with honey or sugar. It's often served at Rosh Hashanah when it is traditional to have sweet and honey-infused dishes in honor of the New Year. Sweet foods symbolize the wish for a good, sweet year ahead. It is also customary to eat foods whose names in the vernacular allude to blessing and prosperity and the Yiddish word for carrot, or "meren," means to multiply. Tzimmes is also often served at Hanukkah and Passover, but when a dish is this delicious, it certainly doesn’t need to be a holiday to make it!

In Yiddish, the word tzimmes means “a big fuss,” probably due to the large amount of chopping, slicing, and mixing required. It is also often served alongside brisket or roast chicken. In fact, sometimes the meat is stirred into the stew itself. Tzimmes is one of those traditional Jewish dishes that seem to have dozens of variations. Carrots and honey are standard, but beyond that, you might find sweet potato, butternut squash, apricots, raisins, cinnamon, orange juice, brown sugar, nutmeg, prunes, maple syrup, stew meat, apples, and even broth. 

To make things easier when cooking for a crowd, this dish can be made the day before and reheated. Tzimmes is a wonderful addition to any festive meal, any time of the year. 

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