Description

This Traditional Passover Charoset is a sweet, spiced mixture of diced apples and toasted walnuts combined with warm spices and kosher wine, making it a symbolic and delicious part of the Passover Seder. Its texture can be adjusted by pulsing lightly in a food processor, and chilling it for several hours enhances the flavors. Serve chilled with matzah or use it to create a classic Hillel sandwich with horseradish.

Ingredients

Fruit

2 medium apples (Granny Smith, Fuji, Pink Lady, or Gala)

Nuts

2 cups walnuts

Spices & Sweeteners

4 teaspoons brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
½ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
½ teaspoon orange zest
¼ teaspoon salt

Liquids

½ cup sweet kosher wine (or grape juice)

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Instructions

Prepare Apples: Finely dice the apples and set them aside to be combined later.
Toast Walnuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat and toast the walnuts for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently until they become fragrant and lightly browned.
Dice Walnuts: Let the toasted walnuts cool completely, then finely dice them to match the texture of the apples.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix the diced apples, diced walnuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, salt, orange zest, and either the sweet kosher wine or grape juice until everything is evenly combined.
Optional Processing: For a finer texture, pulse the mixture a few times in a food processor; be careful not to over-process it into a paste.
Chill: Transfer the charoset to a sealed container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours to let the flavors meld and serve chilled.
Serve: Enjoy the charoset with matzah, or make a Hillel sandwich by spreading charoset on matzah, layering with horseradish, then topping with another piece of matzah.

Notes

Using different apple varieties like Granny Smith or Fuji will affect the sweetness and tartness.
Toast the walnuts carefully to enhance their flavor without burning.
You can substitute grape juice for kosher wine to keep it non-alcoholic.
Adjust the sugar quantity depending on the sweetness of the apples used.
Chilling the charoset for several hours deepens and melds the flavors beautifully.
For a smoother texture, lightly pulse in a food processor but avoid making it too smooth as traditional charoset has a coarse texture.
The orange zest adds a bright, fresh note to balance the sweetness and spices.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Condiment
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Jewish