This year, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Friday, Sept. 15 and ends at sundown on Sunday, Sept. 17. A celebration of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days. This holiday has long served as a period for self-reflection, recommitment and reconnection to God and an opportunity to improve in the year ahead. It also includes gatherings with family and friends and food —including dates!
In fact Medjool dates, considered the “fruit of heaven,” have long served as an important aspect of Rosh Hashanah celebrations. They are traditionally the first fruit used to welcome this holiday. In addition, foods like apples, pomegranate, fig, honey and challah. Sphinx Date Co. offers the following ideas when it comes to hosting a meal honor of Rosh Hashanah
A main entrée for a celebratory can include something easy and elegant such as sheet-pan roasted chicken and apples or plums, a brisket or pot roast with onions and carrots, or short ribs sprinkled with pomegranate arils. Whole fish is another traditional protein often served at traditional Rosh Hashanah celebrations. A whole roasted branzino with herbs is an excellent choice.
As part of an appetizer platter, consider an array of sliced apples, fresh dates and round challah served with a bowl of honey. Speaking of honey, honey cake is another delicious traditional dessert served during Rosh Hashanah celebrations.
Consider stuffing dates with cream cheese and drizzling them with honey (or folding honey into the cream cheese for a less sticky variation of this delicacy). Or sauté dates with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and thyme for a savory side dish to accompany one of the aforementioned mains.
In addition to celebrating over a feast with friends and family, there are many other traditions of Rosh Hashanah. These include going to temple for a holiday synagogue service, focusing on a new habit to improve spiritual well-being, giving thanks and gratitude, listen to the sound of a shofar (to awaken the spirit within) light candles before sundown and recite traditional blessings, donate to a beloved charity and wear new clothes. The latter tradition refers to incorporating something new into one’s life as part of the Rosh Hashanah celebration.
Sphinx Date Co. wishes “shana tova” those who celebrate Rosh Hashanah. For fresh dates to serve at holiday celebrations in addition to a variety of other delectable artisan items, stop into Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry or order online at sphinxdateranch.com.