A Favorite Jewish New Year Side

Tzimis is a delicious Jewish New Year side dish of Eastern European origin.  It's a mixture of mashed sweet potatoes, chunks of carrot, and stewed dried fruits such as apricots and prunes, with a touch of honey -- the traditional symbol for a sweet new year. The dish is a great accompaniment to traditional main dishes for the holiday, such as pot roast and roast chicken. You can make tzimis earlier in the day or even the day before. Just place it in a casserole and reheat it before the meal.  Enjoy!

Recipe
(Makes 6-8 servings)

3 large yams
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
3 medium carrots, peeled & cut in 1/2-inch chunks
1 cup dried apricots
1 cup dried, pitted prunes
1/3 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon salt, or more to taste

1.  Wrap the yams in aluminum foil and bake in a 350 degree oven for approximately 1 hour, or until they're nice and soft when you squeeze them. Let cool until you can comfortably peel the yams. They should still be warm.

2.  Mash the sweet potatoes. Add the butter or margarine and stir until melted. 

3.  While the yams are baking, cover the carrot chunks with water and boil until tender when pierced with a fork.  Drain the excess liquid.

4.  In another small pot, place the dried apricots and prunes and cover with water.  Bring to a boil and simmer 5 minutes.  Remove from the heat and let cool completely.  Drain any excess liquid.

5.  Combine the mashed yams and cooked carrots with the dried fruits, honey, orange juice, and salt.  Place in a casserole that can be reheated.  Refrigerate, if you won't be serving it until later in the day.

6.  Either reheat in the oven, approximately 20 minutes before serving, or simply microwave.