Sepharadic charoset is the sweet dates and fruit spread, and has the perfect texture for smearing on matzo.
The Hebrew word translates to “clay” and the dish signifies the mortar that the Israelites used for building during their enslavement, and we eat it during the Passover seder. Charoset is one of the items on the seder plate along with maror (horseradish), karpas (greens like parsley), zeroah (shank bone), beitzah (egg), and matzo.
It’s very easy to make and keeps great in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
🌟Why you’ll love this recipe
🧾Ingredients in this recipe
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
👩🍳How to Make This Recipe
In a food processor, pulse 1 1/2 cups of walnut halves or pieces until about half of them are finely ground. Transfer them to a bowl and set aside to mix into the date mixture later.
Add the 1 cup of pitted dates, 1 cup of orange juice, 1/2 cup of wine, 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves, 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg, tablespoon of lemon juice, pinch of salt, and a peeled and diced Granny Smith apple to a saucepan.
Cook the date mixture until most of the liquid is absorbed and the apples begin to soften. The apples will release their own liquids, about 8 minutes. Let it cool slightly, then pulse the mixture in the food processor until it forms a loose paste.
Fold the date mixture into the walnuts. Store the charoset in a sealed container in the refrigerator. It should last all week.
🫓Related Recipes
If you’re looking for Passover recipes, I’ve got you covered. Here are some guides and a few of my favorite recipes.
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Sepharadic Charoset (Date & Walnut Spread)
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Ingredients
- 1.5 cups walnut halves or pieces
- 1 cup dates pitted
- 1 apple Granny Smith, peeled and diced
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup red wine like maneschevitz
- 3/4 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp? less
- 1/4 tsp cloves
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg freshly grated
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Pulse the walnuts until about half of them are finely ground. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Add the pitted dates, orange juice, wine, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, lemon juice, salt, and apple to a saucepan. Cook until most of the liquid is absorbed and the apples begin to soften and release their own liquids, about 8 minutes.
- Let it cool slightly, then pulse the mixture in the food processor until it forms a loose paste.
- Fold the date mixture into the walnuts.
- Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator.