Radical Tzimmes

  Posted on March 19, 2013  by Leslie Blythe  1 comment

Guest blogger Jessica (Denver, CO) from Beauty Marks again.

Tzimmes is a traditional Ashkenazi Jewish sweet stew typically made from carrots and dried fruits such as prunes or raisins, often combined with other root vegetables.  The name may come from the Yiddish words tzim (for) and esn (eating). “To make a big tzimmes over something” is a Yinglish expression that means to make a big fuss.

Why is this tzimmes radical when others aren’t? (I’m getting into the Passover spirit here.) Two reasons: First, I’m making it in the slow cooker. Why? Sheer laziness. I have other things to do today and don’t want to sit around watching to make sure it doesn’t scorch. Second, I’m going to freeze it and defrost it for the Seder. I’ve never done either of these before, but I’m placing my trust in the people on the Internet who say both work. Hey, it’s just sweet potatoes and carrots, what could go wrong?

Radical Tzimmes

3 large yams or sweet potatoes (I used garnet yams), cut in chunks
6-8 carrots, cut in chunks
About a cup of prunes*
About a cup of dried apricots
1 1/2″ piece of peeled ginger
About a cup of orange juice
½ cup brown sugar
Healthy splash of olive oil or ¼ cup butter
I put in a splash of orange liqueur because I’m wild that way.
Drizzle of honey

Cook in slow cooker on high for 4 to 6 hours. Add salt and pepper to balance sweetness.  Take out the piece of ginger before serving.