Catholic Recipe: Horoseth

Also Called: Haroses, Haroset, Charoses

Because horoseth is unique to the Passover meal it deserves a special notation. It is a pastelike compound of ground apples, nuts, cinnamon and wine to remind us of the days when the Israelites were forced to lay bricks as slaves of the Egyptians.

This dish is simple to do and boys like to help make it, as well as look forward to eating it. One needs only a little for the purpose of the Seder meal, but there is rarely any left over.

One Haggadah (a small book which gives the order and text for the Seder service) makes this commentary: "Life is bitter sweet; the smell and pleasant taste of the Horoseth impresses upon us that, no matter how bitter and dark the present appear, we should hopefully look forward to better days. 'Sweet are the uses of adversity.'"

DIRECTIONS

To make it chop or coarsely grate a seeded apple and a half cup of walnuts, to which is added a teaspoon of cinnamon and also sugar. Mix these together and add a tablespoon of red wine. These amounts will make a cup of horoseth.