A tzimmes recipe for the Passover / Pesach festival comes in many versions. Tzimmes is a tradition among Ashkenazim (Jews whose ancestors came from Central and/or Eastern Europe). What is tzimmes ? Tzimmes (also spelled: tsimmes, tzimmis, or tsimmis) is also a traditional food for the Jewish New Year known in Hebrew as "Rosh Hashanah". As mentioned, tzimmes recipes include various ingredients, but carrots, prunes, and raisins are the most common vegetable and fruits used, respectively. The word "tzimmes" is a Yiddish word and in an informal sense, means "to make a big fuss out of something", as in "don't make such a tzimmes", but in culinary terms, "tzimmes" refers to a sweet compote, or mixture of sweet vegetables, fruits, and sometimes meat. "Tzimmes" also informally means to make a "mess", and so in the culinary sense of the word, it means to make a "mess" or "mixture" of sweet vegetables and other ingredients that are cooked until they are tender and the flavors are mixed together, as would be the case in a "mess" of things. Finally, the word "tzimmes" is also a Yiddishized play on the German words "zum" ("to", "to the", "to that", or "for") and "essen" ("eat") ("zum essen" as a phrase means "for dinner").

The following tzimmes recipe uses carrots, two types of potatoes, and prunes as the "mess" or mixture of vegetables and fruit. In addition, the tzimmes recipe presented here is a low cholesterol version that will help keep the guilt away!

Vegetarian Tzimmes Recipe

Note that the following vegetarian tzimmes recipe is not vegetarian in the strict sense of the word, as it includes chicken broth. However, you can substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth to make this vegetarian tzimmes recipe a truly vegetarian recipe.

5 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
5 medium white potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
3 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut in 1-inch (2.54 centimeter) thick rounds
1 teaspoon salt
Sugar or honey
Low-fat chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
2 cups pitted prunes
Orange juice

Instructions for the Vegetarian Tzimmes recipe:

  1. Place carrots, white and sweet potatoes, salt, and sugar to taste in large pot.
  2. Add chicken broth to about 1-inch (2.54 centimeters).
  3. Cover, bring to boil, then reduce to simmer.
  4. Add chicken broth as necessary to prevent sticking.
  5. Do not stir while cooking.
  6. Cook about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
  7. About 1/2 hour before vegetables are ready, add prunes and continue cooking.
  8. If tzimmes does not taste sweet enough, add more sugar or orange juice to taste.
  9. If there is too much liquid at this point, place in casserole and bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit (160 degrees Celsius or Centigrade), about 30 minutes.

Makes 8 to 10 servings.

Note: Recipe may be baked at 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius or Centigrade) or 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius or Centigrade), if prepared in a separate oven than turkey.


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