Vegetarians face a challenge at Passover
In a little more than a week, Jewish families everywhere will gather to celebrate their Seder. They’ll prepare platters of oven-roasted vegetables, steaming hot bowls of soup filled with fluffy matzo balls and other time- honored dishes.
“You have to make everything from scratch, and there are people all over the kitchen getting in your way,” said Sarah Stein, 27, of Citrus Heights, “but that’s what makes it fun: that time you spend cooking and eating and talking.”
Passover, which marks the exodus of the Hebrews from captivity in Egypt, begins at sundown April 6. The prayers, readings and rituals deep with meaning are all integral, but the meal is also important.
Specific traditions vary from family to family, but Jewish law is always adhered to when it comes to the food. In addition to avoiding pork and leavened products made with wheat, oats, spelt, barley or rye, otherwise known as chametz, many Jews also avoid rice, corn and legumes.
Such limitations can seem daunting for the average cook who is planning a large meal. For vegetarians, it can be especially tricky.
“It’s not always easy to come up with good ideas,” said Elissa Provance, communications director for the Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region. She’s also a vegetarian. “It’s a challenge not being able to eat things like rice or beans, or anything canned. But we always make it work.”
The limitations can also be viewed as a blessing in disguise. Andrew Wilder, 35, author of the popular food blog www.eatingrules.com, said restrictions help him get inspired.
“Out of all these rules comes creativity,” said Wilder. “Vegetarians are used to a lot of rules already, so this is just one more to add. You become really resourceful.”
Because of the rules surrounding many starchy foods such as breads, cakes and pastas, quinoa is swiftly becoming a top choice for Jewish vegetarians.
Often mistaken as a grain because of its versatility in cooking, it turns out that quinoa (pronounced keen-WAH) is actually a seed, and is also part of the beet family. Since it doesn’t fall under the category of chametz, which includes wheat, barley, oats and other grains that will “rise” during the cooking process, quinoa is generally considered kosher for Passover.
Both protein and fiber-rich, quinoa can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to casseroles such as kugel, making it a nutritious option for vegetarians and meat eaters alike.
“I love matzo and all, but it’s nice to have new choices,” Stein said.
From soups and salads to casseroles, the possibilities for a delicious vegetarian Seder are abundant.
“It’s a celebration,” said Wilder, “a celebration of freedom.”
Seeing freedom where others see limitations?
That’s definitely something to celebrate.
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