Charoset

Charoset is a sweet dish served as part of the Passover Seder and represents the mortar between the stones of the building of the pyramids of Egypt. There are many versions of Charoset but each one typically has nuts, dates, prunes or figs to sweeten and to hold the charoset together, some have other fruits like apples or pears, some have spices, some have no spices at all and traditionally a kosher wine is used, but many recipes use fruit juice which makes it family friendly! Charoset can be chunky or processed into a smooth paste. Many variations and many flavour combination and each delicious.

I formed mine into balls to be a Charoset Bite. And left some to spread as well.  It can be eaten on its own or with the traditional unleavened flatbread matzo.

Even if you are not participating in a Passover Seder, this recipe is absolutely amazing and a fantastic dessert or snack. We celebrate Easter in our home and I make this often throughout the year.

With only raw ingredients, Charoset is a very healthy dish:

Dates are an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antifungal, a source of protein, fiber and contain no fat. They do contain natural sugar and hence why they are a wonderful sweetener. They contain B vitamins, vitamin K, iron, potassium, zinc, calcium, magnesium and manganese. There are compounds in dates being researched with positive results, thought to help protect and guard the brain due to the anti-inflammatory properties in dates that aid to reduce the oxidative stress in the brain.

Walnuts - High in omega 3 fats, antioxidants, and phytosterols. Walnuts are good for your heart, can help protect against cancer, and are good for your brain aiding in reducing depression and the risk of age-related diseases, such as cognitive decline. The walnut meat looks like the halves of a brain! Coincidence?

Apples are a rich source of antioxidants, are low in fat, sodium and cholesterol and are a good source of VitC and fiber. The fiber comes from pectin in the apple that aids in digestion.  It’s best to eat an apple with its skin but the meat of the apple is filled with good nutrition too. Recent research has shown that components in apples supports and enhances the production of new brain cells, which in turn supports learning, memory and works against cognitive decline.

Cinnamon is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, good for lowering bad cholesterol and supports brain health with improved memory, increased attention and enhanced cognitive processing.

Ginger is another powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, is also antibacterial and is also beneficial for brain health.

As always, when you make this recipe, I would love to see your creation so please post a photo of your Charoset goodness and tag my IG account #RenataCollective or leave a comment with your thoughts!

Prep Time: 10 minutes / Cook Time: No Cook Time / Makes: ~1.5 cups

Ingredients

• 14-16 Dates – soaked in hot water if not soft

• 1 Apple – I used a Royal Gala

• 1¼ Cup Walnuts – halves or pieces

• ¼ Cup Apple Juice

• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon Ground Ginger

How It’s Made

• If your dates are not soft, soak them in hot water for 15 minutes or so, or cover them with water and put them in the microwave for a minute or two to soften, or on the stovetop in a small pot, cover the dates with water and boil for a minute or two until soft. Drain and set aside.

• For the apple, you can peel the apple or leave the peel on, that is your choice.  I peeled the apple for the photos. Core and dice the apples into very small pieces. Set aside.

• Place the walnuts in your food processor and whirl until you have crumbs.  Transfer the walnuts to a medium bowl keeping ¼ cup aside to roll the charoset balls in or to sprinkle over the top of you are serving as a spread.

• In the same food processor bowl, add the dates and the apple juice. Whirl until a paste forms.

• Spoon the date mixture into the bowl with the walnuts.

• Add in the apple, the cinnamon and the ginger.

• Stir until combined and well mixed together.

• If you are serving your charoset as a spread, transfer the mixture to a pretty bowl and top with the reserved walnuts.

• If you are making charoset bites, take a tablespoon and roll into a ball in your hands – it will be very sticky – then roll in the reserved walnuts.

• The charoset is ready to serve right away or keep in the fridge until ready to serve. These will not harden; they will stay soft.  

Enjoy!  Chag Sameach!   

Variations

•  Use other nuts instead of walnuts – almonds or pecans are delicious.

• Use prunes, figs, raisins or dried apricots in place of the dates.

• Use a pear in place of the apple.

• Add 1 tsp each of lemon juice and lemon zest.

• Put the apple in the food processor with the dates and whirl them together to make the paste.