Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is a wonderful holiday for people with food allergies and sensitivities. The Rosh Hashana meal highlights foods that are omens for a meaningful new year.These symbolic foods (called Simanim) are fairly allergy friendly. Pomegranate, dates, apples, squash, beets, leeks, carrots and cabbage are tolerated by most. The key in preparing an allergy friendly Rosh Hashana menu is planning, preparation, and avoidance.
While almost all of the simanim are safe, dishes that incorporate them may not be.
Another allergy friendly feature of the holiday is the omission of nuts. Many avoid nuts on Rosh Hashana because the numeric value of the Hebrew word for “nut”(egoz) and “sin”(chet) are the same. When dining at someone’s home, don’t assume they know about avoiding nuts. Not everyone is familiar with this custom. Letting your host know your allergies and inquiring about specifics regarding the menu, ingredients, and preparation is always a good idea. Let your host know well in advance about your allergies and suggest alternatives.Offering to make or bring a dish yourself is often appreciated.
While most of the symbolic foods are safe, one is particularly problematic: fish. Fish is one of the eight most common allergens. Obviously it would not be a good omen to consume fish if one is fish allergic. In fact it would be rather, well, ominous. Perhaps candy jelly fish would be a safe alternative?
The traditional round challah bread eaten on this holiday can also be problematic.
Most challah recipes call for wheat flour and eggs (both are common allergens). Eggless round challah is a good alternative for those with egg allergy (but not acceptable for wheat allergies). Gluten free challahs are perfect for those with celiac and wheat sensitivities. It is customary to dip challah (and apples) in honey for a sweet New Year.
As the first day of a New Year, Rosh Hashana is the perfect time to resolve to find delicious, healthy ways to manage food allergies.