Food is a significant part of observing the Jewish High Holidays. The meals served during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are full of flavor and tradition—from the apples and honey served at Jewish new year celebrations to the bagels and salads enjoyed after the penitential fast. Explore the meanings behind these dishes and get tips to make your holiday observances memorable with products from Publix.

What are Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur offer a time for celebration, repentance, and renewal as families mark the end of the Jewish year and look forward to the next. Observances begin with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, followed by Yom Kippur, or Atonement Day, 10 days later. This year, Rosh Hashanah begins on the evening of September 11 and ends at nightfall on September 13. Yom Kippur begins at sundown on September 20 and ends at nightfall on September 21.

What traditional foods are served during Rosh Hashanah and what do they symbolize?

Honey, pomegranates, and apple cakes are staples at Rosh Hashanah feasts. These sweet foods symbolize the hopes for a sweet, prosperous new year. Try this Classic Apple Cake recipe made with ingredients from Publix. Other customary Rosh Hashanah foods include:

Beets and leeks: Both foods represent removing barriers in the new year.

Black-eyed peas and string beans: These foods are a great way to wish your loved ones a year of increased blessings. The Aramaic word rubia can refer to several different types of small beans and fenugreek; it's similar to the Hebrew word yirbu, which means to increase.

Gefilte fish: This beloved dish is a favorite choice at Jewish holiday gatherings. It symbolizes abundance and fertility, making it ideal for serving at Rosh Hashanah feasts.

Fruit platters: Light and delicious, fruit platters offer a variety of choices and are ideal for serving at holiday meals. Order fruit platters for in-store pickup.

Kugel: This baked noodle casserole is a traditional favorite. Try our sweet and satisfying Vanilla Kugel recipe with ingredients from Publix.

Matzo ball soup: This delicious comfort food is a must-have at any Jewish High Holiday meal. Save on prep time with prepackaged matzo ball and soup mixes available at Publix.

Pomegranates: They are known for their numerous seeds, which symbolize abundance and prosperity. By eating pomegranates on Rosh Hashanah, the hope is to bring a fruitful and prosperous new year.

Pumpkin and squash: They symbolize prosperity and abundance.

Round challah bread: The roundness of the bread signifies eternity and life cycles.

What traditional foods are eaten to break the fast?

While Rosh Hashanah is about feasting and celebrating a promising new year, Yom Kippur is a penitential time of prayer, self-reflection, and fasting. Observers do not eat or drink and abstain from some physical activities for 25 hours. Once this period is over, it is customary to break the fast with a light meal of traditional foods such as:

Bagels with lox and cream cheese: Comforting and delicious, bagels are a popular option for breaking fast. Order our GreenWise Bagel Platter for in-store pickup. It comes with cinnamon-raisin, plain, and everything bagels and serves 16–20.

Coffee: If you need a pick-me-up after fasting, coffee is a good choice. Shop for your favorite coffee brands in-store.

Salads: Light salads are another favorite for breaking fast. Try our Green Bean and Beet Salad recipe with veggies from Publix.

Tzimmes: This traditional dish is made with brown sugar and carrots. In Yiddish, carrots, or meren, translates to increase, and symbolize the hope for increased blessing in the coming year. The brown sugar represents sweet blessings. Try our Tzimmes-Style Roasted Vegetables recipe.

Make the Jewish High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur memorable with foods that are rich in tradition and flavor.