My Family Charoset Recipe, for Your Passover Seder

This charoset is sweet (but not too sweet), crunchy, and juicy. Lauren Volo/TNS

Passover isn’t a holiday known for its food. In fact, it’s largely known for the food you can’t eat during it (no leavened or fermented foods; ditto for foods made with wheat, oats, barley, rye, and spelt). And yet, I find myself looking forward to it every year because there is one thing I can’t wait to stuff into my mouth: my mother’s charoset. It’s the world’s simplest recipe (chop stuff up and throw it into a bowl!) but unlike, say, matzo ball soup, which I order often at diners, I don’t get to eat it any other time of year.

When I emailed, asking for her recipe, here’s what I got in return: “Two apples, chopped walnuts, and kosher wine. I don’t measure any of it. I eyeball it. Add wine but make sure it isn’t soupy.”

Why are all good family recipes written out like this? Luckily, we have a staff of expert recipe testers who turned my mom’s gibberish into a real recipe that all of us can use.

Technically used on the Seder plate to resemble the mortar and brick made by the Jews when they were slaves in Egypt under Pharaoh, the dish isn’t as dense or cement-like as one would think. It’s actually sweet (but not too sweet), crunchy, and juicy. I eat it directly out of the container (using a spoon, of course!) or I pile up pieces of matzo and use them as little unleavened delivery vessels.

Apple Walnut Charoset

Makes about 4 cups

• 2 medium Granny Smith apples
• 8 ounces toasted walnuts (about 2 cups)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar or honey
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch salt
• 1/3 cup kosher sweet wine, such as Manischewitz concord grape
• Matzo, for serving

Peel and core the apples. Chop into very small diced pieces, and place in a large bowl. Chop the walnuts into pieces the same size as the apples and add to the bowl.

Add the sugar or honey, cinnamon, and salt, and stir to combine. Add the wine and stir to combine. Let the charoset sit until the flavors meld, at least 30 minutes. Serve with matzo.

Recipe Notes

You can chop the apples and walnuts in a food processor fitted with the blade attachment. Pulse them separately until finely chopped but not a paste.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days, but the apples may discolor as they start to oxidize.

If you want sweeter flavors but happen to be vegan, swap the honey for agave syrup.

Lisa Freedman is the lifestyle director at TheKitchn.com, a nationally known blog for people who love food and home cooking. Submit any comments or questions to [email protected]. Copyright 2021 Apartment Therapy. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.