Iraqi Charoset – a Sweet Memory

First thing’s first…

If this is the first time you’re hearing the word “Charoset”, here is a short recap:

One of the Passover Seder Plate items is Charoset. It is a sweet paste usually made out of fruits, nuts and spices; its color, texture and name remind us of the mortar that was used by the Israelite slaves to create bricks and build cities in ancient Egypt.

I LOVE Charoset’s sweet taste, but the coolest thing about Charoset that speaks to me the most, is that there is a story behind every Charoset recipe; there are endless different recipes all depending on its origin and many of its ingredients get a special symbolic meaning…

While some traditions call for apples as a mandatory ingredient (apples are mentioned as a memory of the Hebrew women who use to give birth under the apple trees), other traditions call for 40 (!!!) different ingredients (symbolizing the 40 years of wandering in the desert…)

Apples, grapes, figs, pomegranate, dates, dried fruits, nuts, honey, cinnamon, wine, coconut and even saffron (!) are all examples to Charoset ingredients…

After many Charoset auditions that lasted most of my lifetime, I found my favorite one! It is not that I recently discovered it. In fact, my memories with this specific Charoset go way back… 30 years ago! Throughout my school years, during Passover time, our school assigned us to bring a food item as part of the “Seder” experience (Passover celebration). My very good friend whom which I use to walk to school with every morning was in charge of the Charoset. Our teachers really knew what they were doing… 🙂 Her family came from Iraq and besides great Iraqi dishes, their version of Charoset was the BEST thing I ever tasted! Walking to and from school on that day was the sweetest experience I can remember.

You will need:

1¾ cups (250 gr.) Roasted Peanuts

1½ cups (150 gr.) halved Walnuts

1 cup Silan

1 tsp. Grape Juice (optional)

A few words about Silan:

Silan is date syrup- its great sweet taste and texture (just a little looser than honey) makes it another wonderful natural substitute to sweeteners. Nowadays found in special/gourmet stores, but also starting to be found in other grocery stores; of course it is very much available online. When you purchase Silan, just make sure to go over the ingredient list to find one ingredient: Dates ONLY! (Some companies add sugar or other type of glucose to the dates and I just find it unfair)

Let’s do this!

Doesn’t get any easier than this…

The best results can be achieved in a grinder, but if you do not have one – don’t worry, a small food processor will do the job just fine.

Combine the peanuts, walnuts first in a grinder or a small food processor.
Grind the nuts together to crumble them finely.
The texture is grainy and not completely smooth.
Add Silan and mix well to the desire consistency.
You may pulse it once or twice in the food processor, or use a spatula to mix it in. If you wish to loosen the consistency add a little grape juice (I usually don’t…)

The Charoset is ready! This taste is AMAZING and can overcome any “Maror” 🙂 In fact anything you dip in it will be delicious!

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Quick Recipe:

Iraqi Charoset-

Combine roasted Peanuts and Walnuts in a grinder or a small food processor.

Create a grainy paste.

Add Silan and mix well.

[Add grape juice if needed]