Photo credit: 18Doors
By Samantha Ferraro
This recipe originally appeared in 18Doors
Every year I think of something new to bring to the Passover table, literally. Now don’t get me wrong, there is nothing more perfect than my mom’s classic charoset (a traditional item in the Passover seder), full of apples, red wine and pomegranate seeds. But this year I thought it would be so fun to bring not one…not two…but THREE charoset options for an around-the-world theme!
I come from a fun, diverse background, having lived in Hawaii, New York and Southern California, so expressing culture through food is exciting to me. And this Passover, I created twists on the traditional charoset based off the cultures I admire most.
Tropical charoset is everything you crave about the tropics and truly brings Hawaiiana to the seder. As Hawaiian Jews say, “shaloha!”
This tropical charoset blends some of my favorite Hawaiian flavors. Mild dragon fruit tossed with shredded coconut, sweet mango and crushed macadamia nuts make for a dreamy combination and is sweet enough for a light dessert. If dragon fruit is not easily available, substitute with cubed fresh papaya to keep that sweet mild flavor.
The second charoset is a Persian style that is sweet and tangy. Loaded with dried fruits, apricots, dates and figs, the nuts and tart pomegranate molasses bring it all together. Smear Persian charoset on matzah or roll it into balls for charoset truffles.
Tex-Mex charoset-salsa is a play on just that..salsa! Living in Southern California, tajin is a favorite spice (if you can’t find it, substitute lime zest and chile powder). It’s sprinkled on all sorts of fruits (my favorite being mango!), giving the fruit the perfect pucker along with avocado and toasted almonds and just enough jalapeno for a little spice.
Which charoset will you make this year?
Tropical Charoset
Ingredients:
1 cup diced pineapple
1 cup cubed dragon fruit (or sub papaya)
¾ cup cubed mango
¼ cup ground macadamia nuts
¼ cup shredded coconut
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir to combine. Store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Persian-style Charoset
Ingredients:
3 dried figs
3 pitted dates
6 dried apricots
2 tbsp. golden raisins
1 tsp. pomegranate molasses
2 Tbsp. roughly chopped pistachios + more for garnish
2 Tbsp. roughly chopped almonds
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. cardamom
2 Tbsp. fruit juice (just in case mixture is too dry)
Dried rose petals, for garnish (optional)
Directions:
Add all ingredients to a food processor and blend until evenly incorporated. If you don’t have a food processor, you can chop all the ingredients finely and stir to combine.
Tex-Mex Charoset
Instructions:
1 avocado, pitted and cubed
1 orange, peeled and chopped into small cubes
Juice of 1 lime
2 Tbsp. ground almonds or ground pepitas
½ jalapeno, seeded and finely diced (optional for heat)
½ tsp. tajin spice (or substitute lime zest + ½ tsp. chili powder)
Salt, to taste
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
