seder plate set for the second seder night

seder plate set for the second seder night
Originally uploaded by Gifted Gourmet.

The Passover Seder, which means order, occurs in the first two nights of the eight-day holiday. It is a time to gather, remember, teach children about the holiday, and of course eat. But before the feast begins, the Haggadah is read to tell the story of Passover. The Seder plate is the centerpiece of the meal, upon which six food items are placed. Each of the items represents an element of the hardship that the Jewish slaves experienced during their exodus from Egypt.

Charoset, representing the mortar the Jews used to assemble the pyramids of the pharaohs. Basic charoset is a finely chopped mixture of apples, walnuts and sweet wine.

Karpas, a green vegetable (usually parsley) representing spring, dipped in salt water to symbolize the slaves' tears.

Beitzah, a roasted egg symbolizing the temple sacrifice and the continuing cycle of life. The egg is served on the plate hard-boiled, but the main Seder egg should be slightly charred at the top (this can be done on a hot stovetop or by placing the egg under the broiler.)

Zeroah, a lamb's shankbone symbolizing the ancient Passover sacrifice. You can use the bone of any meat you happen to be serving but typically it is a lamb or veal shank bone. The bone should be roasted until dark brown.

Mar'or, a bitter herb (like horseradish) to represent the bitterness of slavery.

Chazeret The sixth place sometimes holds yet another bitter herb (such as lettuce) or will hold the dish containing saltwater.

Also necessary are three matzos (unleavened bread, symbolizing the haste of the flight from Egypt — there was no time for the bread to rise), either wrapped in cloth or covered, and broken and eaten at set points throughout the evening.
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Gifted Gourmet says:
Charoset

2 apples ... I use golden delicious ...
1/4 cup ground walnuts or pecans
1 teaspoon cinnamon
3 tablespoons any sweet Passover wine
chopped golden raisins or dates as preferred
honey or sugar to taste

Chop apples in food processor.
Add rest of ingredients.

other options
www.epicurious.com/cooking/holiday/passover/charoset/intro
Traditional Apple-Walnut Charoset
Candied Walnut Charoset
Sephardic Charoset
Fig and Port Wine Charoset
Apricot-Pistachio Charoset
Orange-Ginger Charoset
Posted 12 hours ago. ( permalink )