Galilee Green Tzimmis (Sweet Carrots)

Shmuel Veffer

On Rosh HaShanah and until Sukkot we have a tradition to eat sweet foods to symbolize our wish for a good, sweet year ahead.

“Tzimmes” is the Yiddish name of one of those traditional European Jewish foods that has dozens of variations. It is an almost universal side-dish served at a Rosh HaShanah – Jewish New Year festive meal.

Barchi (right) and Chiani dates harvested from our date palms

Carrots and honey are standard, but beyond that you might find sweet potato, apricots, raisins, cinnamon, orange juice, pineapples, brown sugar, nutmeg, prunes, maple syrup, stew meat and apples.

I used to have a “Barchi Date Palm Tree” at the end of our driveway in Yavne’el that provided us with unique round dates that are sweet while still hard!

Here’s a simple and extremely tasty Tzimmis variation that will work with any variety of dates you have available.

Ingredients:

Carrots:

• 8 carrots peeled and sliced into thin 4 inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons of Galilee Green Olive Oil
• ¼ cups Galilee Green Raw Natural honey
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Topping:

• ½ onion finely chopped
• 6 dates chopped
• ¼ cup golden raisins
• 1 tablespoon Galilee Green Olive Oil

Directions:

1. Place carrots in a baking pan
2. Pour olive oil and honey evenly over the carrots
3. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sea salt
4. Cover the pan and bake on 375F/190C for 35 minutes
5. Uncover and continue baking for another 5 minutes
6. In the meantime, sauté the onions and dates in olive oil and add the raisins at the end
7. Once carrots and topping are ready plate the Tzimmis and enjoy!!

May we all be blessed with a sweet year ahead!  ENJOY!!

Make your festive meals even more special with Galilee Green Olive Oil and Raw Natural honey!