Matzo never had it so good

Passover begins tonight at sundown. You may ask what is Passover?

The eight-day festival of Passover is celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan, April 10–18, 2017. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is observed by avoiding leaven, and highlighted by the Seder meals that include four cups of wine, eating matzo and bitter herbs, and retelling the story of the Exodus. In 2017,

In Hebrew it is known as Pesach (which means “to pass over”), because G‑dpassed over the Jewish homes when killing the Egyptian firstborn on the very first Passover eve.

We will be celebrating with family and enjoying all the traditions this holiday brings. Of course having the Sedar meal, retelling the story of Passover (reading the haggadah, which in our family was passed down from my grandmother). We will enjoy some great food (my Mom's holiday so her kitchen is busy preparing). We will eat matzo symbolically during the Sedar a few ways as well as Mom's matzo ball soup and for dessert a sweet treat everyone loves, matzo roca. Yes, one of the best excuses to eat matzo.  One way we eat the matzo during the Sedar is with charoset. Charoset symbolizes the cement with which the Egyptians forced to work in preparing bricks during the period of bondage. The Charoset is therefore made in a consistency resembling that of cement, generally from crushed fruits. It is also customary to add sweet spices (some add cinnamon), walnuts and wine, in order for the Charoset to resemble cement. Here is how I make it and this recipe has been in the Pressman family since my grandmother

made it.

Ingredients:1 c. walnut4 cored, chopped apples, with the skin on6 dates, pitted and chopped A few tbsp sweet wine, I always use Manischewitz
2 tbsp good honey
Put all ingredients into food processor, now I used to just chop everything and mix up by hand but over the years I have changed it up. You want to leave it chunky, again to resemble cement so make sure to just pulse it a few times if you use a food processor.

Serve with matzo and enjoy!

Sameach Pesach!