Charoset for Passover

Charoset, the fruit and nut jam-like confection which, at Passover, recalls the mortar which the enslaved Jews of ancient Egypt bonded bricks together with, is relatively simple to put together. This version is similar to the charoset made in Egypt, which includes dates, nuts and cinnamon. I have substituted orange juice for the more traditional red wine, and thrown in coconut as a nod to my Jewish predecessors in Cochin, Kerala.

• Fuji apple, 1, grated
• dates, 1 cup
• apricot, 1/2 -3/4 cup
• preserved orange peel, 2 tbsp
• walnuts, 3/4 cup
• orange, 1, zest and juice of
• brown sugar, 1 tbsp
• coconut shavings, 1/2 cup
• lemon juice, of 1/2 lemon
• red wine, 1/4 cup, optional
• cinnamon, 1-2 tsp

1. Put all the ingredients together in a food processor and blend, but not too finely
2. Serve at the Passover Seder, and on toasted matzah for breakfast.

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