The Simanim, what do they stand for?
The simanim- and what they stand for ?
Honey- For a good, sweet year. Honey cake, Chicken with honey, honey as a sweetener in dressings or sauces.
Pomegranates- symbolically used often as a new fruit, but as it contains seeds so it symbolises that hopefully our year will be full of merits. In Israel I picked pomegranates fresh from the tree in my shared garden, we would tap the back all over with a wooden spoon, split them in for and then it is easy to remove the seeds. Pomegranate seeds keep for 3-4 days in a Tupperware in the fridge. We used to sprinkle the seeds on salads, on porridge or make juice.
Carrots Gezer, the Hebrew word for carrot, sounds very much like g'zar, the Hebrew word for decree. Eating carrots on Rosh Hashanah is meant to express our desire any negative decrees against us will be nullified. Tzimmes, carrot salad, orange soup (coloured vegetables not the fruit) honey roasted carrots, are all ways of incorporating carrots in your menu.
Beetroot -The Hebrew word for beetroot is selek, is similar to the word for "remove." They are eaten to express the hope that our enemies will depart. Borsht, roasted beetroots and carrots, or beet and carrot salad are ideal to fulfil this.
Black-Eyed beans, Green Beans, Rubia, which may refer to several types of small beans, is reminiscent of the word yirbu, "to increase." These foods symbolize the hope for a fruitful year filled with increased good fortune. A black eye pea humas, or sesame green beans are interesting foods to add to your Yom tov meals
Head of fish, Sheep, or for vegetarian or vegans a whole head of garlic roasted most people use the head of a poached salmon, by including some sort of head on the menu is representative of our hope that we are likened to a head, and not a tail. In other words, we should move forward and make progress in the coming year grown develop and not cling on to old habits or be stuck in the past
Fish - the notion that fish are ever vigilant and swim constantly is linked to this symbol and reflects the desire to be constantly aware of the opportunities to do good. (Help others,) Gefilta fish, baked salmon with a leek crust, Halibut in lemon sauce, are great Yom tov fish ideas
Leeks- are related to the word kareyt, meaning to cut. This symbol is linked to the prayer that those who wish to hurt us will be cut off. The first time I attended a Sephardic Rosh Hashanah seder was in Manchester, the hostess had made delicious Leek fritters, they disappeared in seconds. Leek and Potatoes soup, Salmon on a bed of Leeks, Chicken with leeks and Carrots are ideal recipes
Gourds, (butternut squash, pumpkin even courgettes) The Hebrew word for gourd is related to the Hebrew homonyms pronounced k'ra. One word means "to rip;" the other, "to announce." By eating these we are asking for any evil decrees against us are ripped up. Courgette fritters, roasted butternut squash with honey and cinnamon and sweet potatoes makes a delicious yet unusual side dish.
Dates - The Hebrew word for dates, t'marim, evokes the word tam, "to end," and the hope that our enemies will be finished. Date and Apple cake, Beef with dates and carrots.
Dates like Pomegranates are one of the seven species of Israel- wheat, barley, grape, fig, pomegranates, olive (oil), and date (date honey) so it is often thought to incorporate them into your Yom tov meal you are remembering Israel.
Wishing you and your loved ones Shanna Tova a happy and healthy successful new year.