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    Rosh Hashanah Salad

    Published: Sep 3, 2019 · Modified: Jul 27, 2023 · by Renana · I may get commission for purchases made through links in this post at no extra cost to you.

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    Home » Recipes » Rosh HaShanah » Rosh Hashanah Salad

    Quick and simple to assemble, this Rosh Hashanah Salad is sure to be a hit at your festive table. So, let's usher in the New Year with a burst of flavors and a crisp start! Just follow these easy instructions, and in no time, you'll have a salad that captures the spirit of new beginnings. Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving, mix it all together, and get ready to savor the fresh and delightful taste of the season. Happy New Year!

    rosh hashanah salad on a serving plate

    Rosh Hashanah meals

    When Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, approaches, it's time to start planning the festive meals. A must-have dish for this special occasion is the Simanim salad, which incorporates the symbolic foods of the holiday, representing our hopes and wishes for a fruitful and sweet new year. Whether you're celebrating with family or friends, this salad is a delightful addition to the table, infusing the festivities with meaningful traditions and the promise of a bright future ahead.

    Simanim for Rosh Hashanah

    The full list of Simanim for Rosh Hashanah contains mainly fruits and vegetables with one exception - a fish head. I choose to ignore this and therefore it was easy to use some of the simanim to create a yummy salad everyone would enjoy to eat for the holiday.

    The signs are: apples dipped in honey, beets, gourd (pumpkin), pomegranate, dates, leeks, black eyed peas and fish head. Some families have other traditions too, like carrots also being considered as one of the holiday signs, but that tradition isn’t one my family follows.

    I choose to use apples, honey, pomegranate seeds and pumpkin seeds in my delicious salad. I think you can add dates, beets and carrots as well. I left them out because I think sometimes too many flavors can be overwhelming.

    To have more of a base in the salad, I used lettuce and for an extra crunch, I added pecan nuts and walnuts. The apples I used are green apples because I enjoy their tart flavor. You can use red apples too but they taste sweeter. Some families follow the tradition of avoiding vinegar on Rosh Hashanah so I used lemon juice in the dressing.

    Helpful tips to ensure your Rosh Hashanah Salad turns out perfectly:

    Freshness Matters

    Opt for fresh, crisp lettuce to form the base of your salad. Look for vibrant green leaves without wilting or discoloration. If possible, buy the lettuce a day or two before making the salad to maintain its freshness.

    Pomegranate Seeds

    Extracting pomegranate seeds can be messy. To make it easier, cut the pomegranate in half and gently tap the back of each half with a spoon to release the seeds. You can also place the pomegranate in a bowl of water and gently separate the seeds underwater to prevent juice splatters.

    Toasting Nuts and Seeds

    Enhance the flavors of the walnuts, pecan nuts, and pumpkin seeds by toasting them lightly before adding them to the salad. Toasting brings out their natural oils and creates a delightful nutty aroma.

    Apple Slices

    To prevent the apple slices from browning before serving, you can toss them with a little lemon juice or submerge them in a bowl of water with a squeeze of lemon until you're ready to add them to the salad.

    Balanced Dressing

    Taste the dressing before pouring it over the salad. Adjust the honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to find the right balance of sweet and tangy flavors to complement the other salad ingredients.

    Timing

    Prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time but dress the salad just before serving. This will prevent the lettuce from wilting and keep the salad fresh and crunchy.

    Presentation

    Consider reserving a few pomegranate seeds, apple slices, and nuts to sprinkle on top of the salad before serving. It adds a touch of elegance and makes the dish even more visually appealing.

    Serving Bowl

    Use a large, wide bowl for serving to make it easier to mix all the ingredients with the dressing evenly.

    pomegranate apple salad

    FAQS

    Can I prepare the Rosh Hashanah Salad in advance?

    While it's best to dress the salad just before serving to maintain its freshness, you can certainly prepare the individual salad ingredients in advance. Chop the lettuce, slice the apple, and gather all the nuts and seeds a few hours before your meal. Keep the ingredients refrigerated in separate airtight containers until you're ready to assemble the salad. Then, pour the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss it together.

    Can I make a larger batch of the dressing and store it for later use?

    Yes, you can prepare a larger batch of the dressing and store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to a week. Before using it again, give it a good shake to recombine the ingredients.

    Can I substitute the lettuce with another type of greens?

    Absolutely! While the recipe calls for lettuce, you can use other greens like baby spinach, arugula, or mixed salad greens according to your preference. Just ensure they are fresh and crisp for the best results.

    Is there a way to make the salad nut-free?

    Yes, you can make the salad nut-free by omitting the walnuts and pecan nuts. You can replace them with toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds if there are no nut allergies.

    Can I add a protein source to the salad?

    Yes, just note that it wont be parve anymore. If you wish to make the salad more substantial and add a protein boost, consider adding grilled chicken or roasted turkey. These additions complement the flavors of the salad well.

    How do I store leftover salad?

    Unfortunately, salads don't store well once dressed, as the lettuce will wilt. If you have leftover undressed salad, store the ingredients separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When you're ready to enjoy it again, toss the salad with fresh dressing just before serving.

    Can I make a vegan version of the dressing?

    Yes, you can easily make a vegan version of the dressing by replacing the honey with a plant-based sweetener like date syrup (silan), agave syrup or maple syrup.

    Can I add other fruits to the salad?

    Absolutely! Feel free to get creative and add other fruits like sliced pears, dried cranberries, or even fresh figs to enhance the flavor and color of the salad.

    Other Rosh Hashanah recipes to try:

    • beet carpaccio dish on a plate
      Beet Carpaccio
    • Carrot Parsley Salad in a bowl
      Shredded Carrot Salad
    • Parve Crustless Zucchini Quiche in a glass pan
      Parve Crustless Zucchini Quiche
    • Orange Vegetable Soup in 2 bowls
      Carrot, Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Soup

    Find all my holiday recipes on this Rosh Hashanah recipe index page.

    Make this Rosh Hashanah Salad!

    Celebrate the joyous holiday eve with a delectable Rosh Hashanah Salad, a true culinary delight that embodies the spirit of the New Year. Crisp lettuce, juicy pomegranate seeds, and an array of toasted nuts and seeds create a symphony of textures and flavors. Drizzled with a tantalizing dressing of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of honey for sweetness, this salad symbolizes hope and prosperity for the coming year. Simple to prepare yet full of festive charm, this delightful salad promises to be the perfect addition to your holiday table, spreading happiness and blessings to all. Embrace the tradition, share in the joy, and let the celebration begin with this refreshing and symbolic Rosh Hashanah Salad! Happy New Year!

    Simanim Salad on a serving plate

    Rosh Hashanah Salad

    A delicious salad that includes the holiday symbolic foods (simanim) and emphasizes our wishes and hopes for a better, fruitful and sweet new year.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine Jewish
    Servings 8 servings

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 large head lettuce
    • ⅓ cup pomegranate seeds
    • ½ cup walnuts
    • ½ cup pecan nuts
    • ¼ cup pumpkin seeds
    • 1 green apple

    For the dressing:

    • 5 tablespoon olive oil
    • Juice of half a lemon
    • 2 teaspoon honey
    • Salt and pepper by your taste

    Instructions
     

    • Cut the apple into thin slices.
    • Cut the lettuce to small pieces.
    • In a small bowl, mix all the dressing ingredients.
    • Place all salad ingredients in a bowl.
    • Pour the dressing on the salad just before serving.
    • Mix well and serve.
    • Shana Tova!
    Keyword apple pomegranate salad, pomegranate apple salad, pomegranate rosh hashanah, rosh hashanah salad, rosh hashanah simanim, rosh hashanah symbolic foods, salad with pomegranate seeds, salads with pomegranate seeds, simanim, simanim for rosh hashanah, simanim salad
    simanim salad

    More Rosh HaShanah Recipes

    • Roasted Fennel
    • vegetable barley soup
      Vegetable Barley Soup
    • bowl with pomegranate seeds
      How to Cut a Pomegranate
    • Nondairy Apple Tart on a gold plate
      Dairy Free Apple Pie

    Filed Under: Dinner, Gluten Free, Holidays, Rosh HaShanah, Salads Tagged With: Apple

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    Renana Spiegel Levkovich

    Hello!

    I'm Renana and I share kosher recipes for Shabbat, yummy parve desserts, and Jewish holiday recipes - and so much more. I share easy kosher recipes for the whole family, along with some pretty great photographs, and easy-to-follow instructions. Enjoy!

    Contact me for any question →


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