How to Understand Passover Foods

Posted by Anonymous , 9/4/2007 Tags:UnderstandPassoverFoods
Post By :
Anonymous
Rate:
Vote

How to Understand Passover Foods

Introduction

While some people grow up experiencing Seder traditions, sometimes someone might be new to a holiday and may not know why certain foods are eaten while other foods are avoided. Passover traditions started with the Israelites exodus from Egypt and all the foods eaten for Seder reflect the hardship they experienced during this period. Read on to learn how to understand Passover foods.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

1

Step One

During Passover, refrain from eating anything that contains barley, wheat, rye, oats and spelt, and is not cooked within 18 minutes after coming in contact with water. These foods are called chometz, meaning a??leavened breada?? in Hebrew, therefore no leavening is allowed. The 18 minutes and lack of leavening signifies the Israelites rushed escape from Egypt, leaving them little time to bake bread before leaving.
2

Step Two

Ashkenazi Jews also refrain from eating anything considered kitniyot, which literally means "small things" in Hebrew. Kitniyot foods include legumes, such as peas, lentils peanuts and beans. Also normally included in kitniyot are corn and some grains, such as rice. These foods, which are normally stored with chometz grains, may become contaminated with the chometz and therefore are avoided during Passover by some Jewish traditions.
3

Step Three

Along with these specific foods, some other foods should be avoided because they often contain hidden chometz or kitniyot. These foods include soda, raw vegetables, frozen vegetables, milk, marshmallow and dried fruits.
4

Step Four

Soda often contains corn syrup as a sweetener. Make sure to look for Kosher labeling before serving soda during Passover.
5

Step Five

Some raw vegetables, such as cucumbers, are coated with a waxy substance derived from soy-based products. Organic vegetables normally don't have this protective waxy covering.
6

Step Six

Most frozen vegetables are bagged and produced in double-duty factories. The machines that cut, boil and freeze the vegetables also often work with peanuts and grains. Check the labeling for any mention of wheat or peanut warnings.
7

Step Seven

Milk is often produced using additives that are considered unacceptable to the Jewish tradition. Organic milk does not use additives and hormones during production and therefore is a suitable replacement during Passover.
8

Step Eight

Marshmallows contain gelatin which can be made from unsuitable animal bones. Some marshmallows are made kosher, so check the labeling.
9

Step Nine

Fruit dried in ovens that also bake bread are also deemed unacceptable during Passover. Some fruit might even be coated with a trace amount of flour to prevent sticking.
10

Step Ten

Since these foods are avoided during Seder, any surfaces that have come in contact with chometz must be thoroughly cleaned before Passover starts. Counters, sinks, ovens and refrigerators all must be scrubbed clean. Ovens may be cleaned with a self-cleaning function.

Tips & Warnings

  • Even silverware, pots and kitchen utensils must be cleaned before Passover. Pots must be filled with boiling water and a heated rock must be placed inside after the water boils to displace the water so it flows over the sides of the pot.
  • Since chometz food can also be used in non-food applications, be sure to check items such as powdered gloves for any sign of chometz. Get rid of them before Seder starts.
  • One way to rid a house of food containing chometz and kitniyot is to give the food to a neighbor who will hold the food until after Passover. Once the holiday is finished, the food can be brought back into the house for another year.
  • After cleaning the refrigerator, oven and stove, these appliances must not be used 24 hours before Passover starts to keep them clean.
Tools: |