Andrew Zimmern: L’Shana Tova! Celebrate the Jewish New Year With Andrew Zimmern’s Noodle Kugel

Noodle Kugel_Madeleine Hill

(Madeleine Hill)

Rosh Hashanah will likely look different this year, but per Emmy- and James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, whether we reflect and repent together or apart, food always helps. Keep reading for his Noodle Kugel recipe that he hopes will bring some sweetness to the Jewish New Year.

When is Rosh Hashanah?

This year, Rosh Hashanah takes please from Friday, September 18th to Sunday, September 20th.

What Food Can You Eat on Rosh Hashanah?

The most symbolic Rosh Hashanah ingredients are pomegranates, honey, string beans, beets or spinach, carrots and fish, with traditional dishes like Challah, Noodle Kugel and Honey Cake often served at the dinner table.

Speaking of kugel, Zimmern shared his grandmother’s Kugel recipe below, calling it very important, not only because it pairs so well with the Rosh Hashanah meal, but because the sweetness is symbolic of a wish for a sweet New Year.

(Madeleine Hill)

Rosh Hashanah will likely look different this year, but per Emmy- and James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, whether we reflect and repent together or apart, food always helps. Keep reading for his Noodle Kugel recipe that he hopes will bring some sweetness to the Jewish New Year.

When is Rosh Hashanah?

This year, Rosh Hashanah takes please from Friday, September 18th to Sunday, September 20th.

What Food Can You Eat on Rosh Hashanah?

The most symbolic Rosh Hashanah ingredients are pomegranates, honey, string beans, beets or spinach, carrots and fish, with traditional dishes like Challah, Noodle Kugel and Honey Cake often served at the dinner table.

Speaking of kugel, Zimmern shared his grandmother’s Kugel recipe below, calling it very important, not only because it pairs so well with the Rosh Hashanah meal, but because the sweetness is symbolic of a wish for a sweet New Year.

“With a global viral pandemic plus a cultural pandemic here at home, this dish takes on special meaning this year,” says Zimmern. “We all need more patience, tolerance and understanding with each other. For those who observe Kashrut, all these items are available in Kosher form, but since you aren’t mixing milk and meat everyone should be able to put this amazing Noodle Kugel dish on their holiday table for Rosh Hashanah.”

Madeleine Hill

(Madeleine Hill)

What is Noodle Kugel?

Noodle Kugel is a traditional Jewish egg noodle casserole. Zimmern’s take on the classic is creamy and rich however, with cottage cheese and sour cream, studded with raisins and apricots, and topped with cinnamon, almonds and brown sugar for a touch of sweetness.

In addition to Noodle Kugel, his Rosh Hashanah menu will also include: Matzah Ball SoupSephardic Eggplant Salad (a chunky, salad-dip hybrid similar to a Greek Caponata) and Apple Crumb Cake (with caramelized apples and a streusel crumb topping).

Try these recipes out for your own Jewish New Year celebration this week. L’Shana Tova!

Noodle Kugel

By ANDREW ZIMMERN
  • SERVES

    10-12

  • ACTIVE TIME

  • TOTAL TIME

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 lb extra wide egg noodles
  • 4 cups cottage cheese
  • 3 cups milk
  • ⅔ cup melted butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • eggs
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1½ cups sour cream
  • ½ cup raisins
  • ½ cup minced dried apricots
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup sliced almonds
  • ¼ cup brown sugar

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Cook the egg noodles in a large volume of boiling water. Drain and cool.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, milk, butter, sugar, eggs, salt, sour cream, raisins, apricots and 2 teaspoons of the cinnamon. Whisk to combine. Add the noodles, stirring until fully incorporated.
  4. Butter a large pan, or two smaller brownie pans. Pour the noodle mixture into the pan and top with the remaining cinnamon, almonds and brown sugar.
  5. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until set and golden brown.

KITCHEN COUNTER

Serves 10-12.

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