Passover starts this year at sundown on Wednesday, April 5th and lasts through nightfall on Thursday, April 13th for most communities (or Wednesday, April 12th in Israel).
Given that it’s an 8-day holiday with strict food restrictions, you’re probably looking for menu ideas for your family meals. But not to worry, because we’ve got our most exciting Jewish recipe roundup yet, with these scrumptious Passover dishes from Jewish communities around the world!
These recipes are free of chametz or leavened grain products, as well as common additional foods that many Jewish communities avoid during Passover, such as rice, corn, legumes, and other kitniyot. We have vegetarian, vegan, and meat-lovers options, so you can be sure to find something that pleases all your guests.
Happy cooking, and wishing you and your family a happy and healthy Passover from all of us at Judaica Webstore!
Not just for the Seder itself, haroset is a Passover staple and a yummy matzah accompaniment that gets many Jews through the weeklong holiday. You might know it as a dish of apples, nuts, and wine as is common among Ashkenazi Jews from Europe and North America, or as the date spread that’s ubiquitous in Israel.
However, there are actually many variations in haroset traditions from Jewish communities around the world! For something unique and delicious that’s sure to please the whole family, you need to try this Persian haroset recipe using a variety of fruits and nuts - the bananas and pistachios will be surprising, but unforgettable.
Matzah (Hebrew) or matzo (Yiddish) is a well-known Passover staple, but if you come from an Ashkenazi tradition, another holiday must-have is matzo ball soup! It features dense dumplings called matzo balls made out of a special Passover flour called matzo meal, and can be made with chicken or vegetable broth.
This vegan version features a broth made of tasty veggies, and will be a crowd-pleaser at your Passover table for all family and guests regardless of diet. A taste of tradition and a comfort food that’ll become your new holiday go-to!
This flavorful Moroccan salad made with carrots and a rich dressing is popular all over Israel, and is commonly eaten on shabbats and holidays, particularly Passover. It’s both healthy and delicious, and even your kids are sure to love it! It’s even better when prepared in advance and left to marinade, making it a versatile holiday dish that you can fit in anytime during your prep.
For many Jewish families with Eastern European roots, it’s just not Passover unless matzo brei makes an appearance at least once during the eight-day holiday. The hearty dish uses matzah sheets soaked in eggs and then fried in butter in a similar concept as French toast, and can be made sweet or savory.
Try this traditional recipe originally hailing from Ukraine and featuring caramelized onions, and you’ll have your new favorite holiday comfort food!
Sephardic Jews hailing from Turkish lands have an array of veggie-rich casseroles, and this yummy zucchini dish with herbs is traditionally eaten on Passover. Make it up to two days in advance, and serve it warm or even at room temperature, for any meal of the day. It’s made with cheese and eggs, so you’ll love the protein along with the healthy goodness of the veggies, while your family and friends won’t forget the delicious taste.
Zucchini starts being in season in the spring in Mediterranean lands, so it’s no wonder that it’s a common feature of many Passover tables. And for another classic dish featuring this versatile vegetable, try this recipe that originated in the early years of the State of Israel, known as “brain-style” for its soft texture.
The austerity and meat shortages of the newly-independent Israeli state meant that Israelis got creative with making filling, festive, vegetarian holiday dishes - and this zucchini recipe for Passover is a perfect example. The hard-boiled eggs add some protein and a nod to the Passover Seder plate, while the green color of the zucchini and chives will remind you that Passover is also traditionally known as Chag HaAviv, or the Spring Festival.
If you’re looking to please the meat lovers in your life, this Syrian version of “matzah pizza” with ground beef and rich spices is your go-to! Known as lachmagine, it’s made by Syrian Jews with regular dough as a shabbat appetizer throughout the year, and on matzah for Passover. Serve it with tahini for a classic Middle Eastern taste, and watch your family eat it right up!
Brisket is a popular Jewish holiday and shabbat dish that has become particularly beloved by American Jews, and especially for Passover. Countless family recipes have developed over the generations, but we’re particularly smitten with this version that’s braised with coffee, veggies, and apricots. What’s more, it’s cooked along with eggs and served with horseradish, so you’ll really feel like it’s Passover!
Whether you have vegetarians among your family or guests or are simply looking for a meat-free alternative to a main dish, this shawarma-inspired roasted eggplant recipe from Israel is what you need!
Shawarma is normally a type of roasted meat that can be found all over the Middle East, while eggplant dishes are an Israeli favorite of holiday and shabbat tables. So it’s no wonder that the vegetarian-friendly Israeli cuisine combined the two into this rich, delicious roasted eggplant with shawarma spices! Even the carnivores in your family won’t get enough of it, and after you get a taste this Passover we’re sure you’ll want to keep making it the rest of the year.
Jews have lived in Italy dating back to the era of the Roman Empire, and the community has naturally developed its own rich traditions and foods. This particular recipe comes from a family that has been based in Rome since the time of Julius Cesar, and is a traditional Passover veggie delight you’ll love! Whether as an appetizer, side dish, or even a main dish, these delicious braised artichokes are sure to please.
Passover desserts can seem like a challenge at first, but this is where rich, flourless chocolate cakes really shine! Many Jewish families and communities have their favorite recipes, but there’s nothing quite like this Mexican version called boca negra. The chiles and orange juice in the cake complement and help bring out the chocolate flavor, while the sweet tomatillo sauce on the side is an optional but worthwhile addition that really rounds out this sophisticated, yummy dessert.
This delicious haroset cake is inspired by the traditional apple haroset of Ashkenazi Jews, and will be the perfect ending to any Passover meal! Almond flour makes it Passover friendly, while the apples, walnuts, and wine will remind you of your favorite part of the Passover Seder. It’s also dairy-free, low-sugar, and versatile: you can substitute pears if you prefer them over apples, or other favorite nuts in place of walnuts.
Owned by JWG Ltd, maintains its offices and warehouse in Jerusalem, Israel. © 1999-2022 JWG Judaica and Dead Sea Cosmetics