Dates’ Role in Rosh Hashanah Celebrations

Rosh Hashanah is just around the corner. This holiday, which translates to “head of the year” honors the Jewish New Year and has deep significance and traditions, including the use of dates as one of the holiday’s symbolic foods. Dates are commonly eaten as a traditional Rosh Hashanah food, often served with apples and honey.

Why are dates eaten during Rosh Hashanah seder?

There are several reason for this, one of which comes down to a play on words. In Hebrew, the word for date is “tamar,” which is similar to the word “tam,” which means to end, to be consumed or to be finished.

They are eaten during a prayer or blessing, asking God for protection from enemies, hardships and personal struggles. Dates, along with honey, are associated with luck when it comes to Rosh Hashanah and are symbolic of a blessing for a sweet and positive new year.

How should dates be served on Rosh Hashanah?

Dates can be served in both sweet and savory dishes as part of Rosh Hashanah celebrations. Throughout the meal, there are multiple ways to incorporate dates, such as:

• Consider starting the meal with a platter of pitted dates, figs, grapes, cheeses, apple slices, nuts, honey and challah.
• Prepare simple crostini topped with date paste, an apple slice and a drizzle of honey.
  
• Dates stuffed with a mixture of tahini, pistachio butter, walnuts or almonds, and honey and then drizzled with dark chocolate can be served as an appetizer or dessert.
• Toss together a fresh salad featuring arugula, apples, dates and pomegranate with a simple honey balsamic vinaigrette.
  
• Roasted honey-glazed carrots drizzled with date syrup is a satisfying side dish that could be served alongside the main dish such as lamb or roasted chicken.
• Home bakers can incorporate dates into desserts like Medjool date cake or bars, date honey cake, or a date upside-down cake with a caramelly date drizzle on top. An apple cake topped with date syrup or layered with a date frosting is another delicious way to finish any Rosh Hashanah meal.

This Rosh Hashanah, pair dates with Arizona honey, pistachios, pecans and other local Arizona provisions that can be found at the Palm & Pantry and online. Or pick up a gift box to bring to the host of Rosh Hashanah celebrations. The Sphinx Date Co. sends good wishes to those honoring Rosh Hashanah this September.