Sides
Sweet Carrot and Sweet Potato Tzimmes
Ingredients
- - 5 large carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds
- - 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- - 3 tbsp neutral oil
- - 3 tbsp honey
- - 1/2 cup orange juice
- - 1 cup vegetable stock or water
- - 1/2 cup pitted prunes, halved
- - 1/4 cup dried apricots, halved
- - 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- - Pinch of salt
Method
- Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the carrots and sweet potatoes and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the honey, orange juice and stock. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the prunes, apricots, cinnamon and a pinch of salt.
- Cover and simmer gently for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and the liquid has reduced to a syrupy glaze.
- If the mixture is still too thin, uncover for the final 10 minutes to let it reduce further.
- Serve warm as a sweet side dish alongside the main course.
Native Name: Tzimmes
Dietary Tags: Pareve, Vegan, Kosher
Cultural Background: Tzimmes, a sweet stew of carrots and root vegetables simmered with honey or sugar and dried fruit, is a traditional Rosh Hashanah dish among Ashkenazi Jews, symbolising hopes for a sweet new year. Its name has even entered Yiddish-inflected English as a word for a fuss or big to-do, reflecting how central it became to festive cooking.
Tips: Cut all the vegetables to a similar size so they cook evenly. If the tzimmes reduces too much before the vegetables are tender, add a splash more stock or orange juice.
Variations: Some families add a peeled, sliced apple or a handful of raisins. A version with a light dumpling (kneidel) baked on top turns tzimmes into a heartier side.
Storage: Keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days, or frozen for 2 months.
Reheating: Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or juice if it has thickened too much, or microwave in short bursts.
Nutrition: Approx. 210 kcal, 2 g protein, 6 g fat, 40 g carbohydrate per serving.
FAQs:
Q: Why is tzimmes traditionally served at Rosh Hashanah?
A: Its sweetness symbolises the wish for a sweet new year, a theme carried through many Rosh Hashanah dishes.
Q: Can tzimmes be made without honey for a vegan diet?
A: Yes – it is naturally vegan as written, using honey as a plant-adjacent sweetener; substitute maple syrup if preferred.
Q: Can I make tzimmes ahead of time?
A: Yes, it reheats very well and many families feel the flavour improves after a day in the fridge.