Judaism is so “green” we have a whole new year dedicated solely to trees: Tu B’Shvat! Culinarily speaking, Jewish holidays break down into two categories.
Category A: Celebratory: let’s eat!
Category B: Introspective: let’s not eat!
Tu B’Shvat falls into Category A and some have a custom to make a Tu B’Shvat seder (yes, a seder and it’s not even Passover) highlighting the 7 species of Israel: wheat, barley, olives, dates, grapes, figs and pomegranates. Others often include nuts with shells, fruits with edible seeds, and fruits with inedible pits. It’s a vegetarian’s dream, really!
But while we are certainly entitled to cook and eat symbolic foods on Tu B’Shvat, it’s also a good time for some introspection. Tu B’Shvat marks the beginning of the fruit-bearing cycle for the earliest-blooming trees in the Land of Israel. Yet no fruit will be seen for some time. It’s still winter. What’s the point?
One message we can learn from trees is the power of growth during cold, dark times. On the outside, nothing much appears to be changing. But on the inside, immense growth is taking place, preparing to bloom forth in short order.
This Tu B’Shvat, set your table with foods that tantalize the taste buds and spark inspiration for the mind, body, and soul!
Biblically-Inspired Salad Du Jour
This salad is a one stop shop for the 7 species of Israel so if you’re not interested in making seven separate dishes— start here! The goat cheese is an optional add-on, but when making the foods of the “land flowing with milk and honey”, goat cheese is perfect! Torah commentaries explain that the milk being referred to is in fact goat cheese (and fun fact, the honey is date honey, not honey made from bees!)
Chocolate Bark With Cardamom, Dried Fruits, and Nuts
We’re checking off a whole bunch of symbolic Tu B'Shevat foods with this recipe…plus chocolate. Everybody wins!
Rainbow Fruit Salad
Do we really need a recipe for fruit salad? Arguably, not really. But this is a great one to get kids involved, either independently or collaboratively with a parent.
White Fish Salsa With Kiwi Salsa And Chipotle Lime Crema
Add some protein to a dairy Tu B’Shvat seder with these fish tacos. The kiwis are a surprising twist, but they’re definitely on brand for the day.
Rainbow Carrots with Charred Dates and Tahini
When you just want to dress up a simple side of roasted carrots, try adding charred dates. The charrig adds a depth of flavor to the sweet dates you will love.
Moroccan Sweet Couscous With Chicken
For a meat main dish, try Tanziyah, this Moroccan chicken dish served over couscous, and topped with a sweet and savory sauce of dried fruit and red wine.
Pomegranate Glaze Chicken Wings
Cook these up fresh and add the delicious, sticky pomegranate glaze when you’re ready to serve.
Whatever you choose to cook up, may your Tu B’Shvat seder be popping with the natural colors and flavors of the fruits of this world and may you be inspired to pursue growth during these cold, bleak days of winter with the steadfastness of a soon-to-be-bountiful tree.
