The Elsternwick Village guide to foods for Passover

This year, Jewish Passover (Pesach in Hebrew) runs from April 22 – 30.

It’s a highlight of the Jewish calendar, celebrating the time when the children of Israel were led out of Egypt by Moses over 3000 years ago, leaving slavery behind.

With a significant Jewish community in Elsternwick and surrounds, many locals will be celebrating Passover.

There is a range of ways to make the most of Passover in Elsternwick Village, whether it’s getting crafty, giving gifts or enjoying a Passover feast.

But just what does a traditional Passover feast entail and what types of foods are enjoyed during this festive period?

Read on for the low-down on the foods to include and avoid in your feasts this Passover.

Stock up for your Seder Plate

Seder is the ceremonial feast that marks the beginning of the Passover festival.

The tradition includes discussing the biblical story of Passover, drinking four cups of wine, feasting on a traditional Seder Plate and relaxing in celebration of the freedom Passover symbolises.

The Seder Plate traditionally includes Karpas (a green vegetable like parsley), Charoset (a sweet fruit mixture), Maror (a bitter herb, often horseradish), Chazeret (another bitter herb, often Romaine), Z’roa (lamb shank bone), Beitzah (roasted or hard-boiled egg) and Matzah (unleavened flatbread).

Find ingredients for your Seder Plate at Kosher Kingdom, Dirito’s Quality Fruits and Coles Elsternwick.

Meat and fish

Aside from the traditional lamb shank bone of the Seder Plate, smoked fish is another meat enjoyed at Passover – think whitefish, sardines, herring or smoked salmon.

More traditional Passover delights include pastrami, brisket and corned beef, as well as chopped liver and gefilte fish (poached and deboned fish patties).

Find kosher meat and fish at Kosher Kingdom.

Fresh produce

All fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables do not require certification and are acceptable to consume at Passover.

Find fresh fruit and vegetables at Dirito’s Quality Fruits and Coles Supermarket.

Kosher goods

Traditional Matzah (unleavened flatbread) forms an integral part of food consumed during Passover.

The cracker-like bread is a staple on Passover tables, and it can be used in dishes as breadcrumbs and in the traditional matzah ball soup.

Only fish with fins and scales may be eaten, and again, avoid combining dairy with your meat.

Look for certified kosher foods, with the stamp of approval from a kosher organisation, for items considered acceptable for consumption during Passover.

Find kosher foods at Kosher Kingdom. A range of kosher goods is also available at Coles Supermarket.

This year, Glazed Gluten Free Patisserie has created bread rolls for Passover that are not only gluten free and dairy free, but are also certified by Kosher Australia. The fluffy and versatile rolls can be used for sandwiches or served alongside soups and stews, meaning they’ll make a great addition to your Passover feast!

Wine

Passover is, in essence, a celebration of freedom for the Jewish people, so kosher wine is enjoyed with the feasting.

A traditional Seder often includes discussing a biblical story and drinking four cups of wine – to symbolise the redemption of the Israelites from slavery under the Egyptians.

Manischewitz is a sweet wine made from the labrusca grape and traditionally enjoyed at Passover, but you can drink any kosher wine with your Passover meal.

Find kosher wine at Kosher Kingdom. Enquire about available kosher wines at Bottlemart, Liquoriver and Upstairs Cellar.

Foods to avoid

Eating Chametz (leaven or food mixed with leaven) is prohibited during Passover. This includes the five grains barley, oats, rye, spelt and wheat that have made contact with water, fermented and risen.

In some cases, other legumes and grains may also be avoided (under kitniyot) and includes maize (corn), rice, peas, lentils, beans and peanuts.