This Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad brings together a delightful contrast of textures and flavors. The Brussels sprouts offer a crisp, slightly bitter bite, while the apples provide a refreshing sweetness that’s balanced by the tart cranberries. Toasted nuts add a satisfying crunch, making this salad an ideal choice for any celebration, especially for Rosh Hashanah.
Its colorful presentation, with vibrant greens and pops of red and yellow, makes it a show-stopping addition to your holiday table. This salad is not only visually stunning, but it’s also a healthy, refreshing option that complements any main dish. Perfect for those looking to add a bit of lightness to their holiday meals while still enjoying the rich flavors of the season.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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4 cups Brussels sprouts, trimmed and shredded
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2 medium apples, cored and thinly sliced
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1 cup fresh cranberries (or dried cranberries)
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1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
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1/4 cup pecans or walnuts, toasted
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1/2 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese (optional)
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
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1 tablespoon honey
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1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
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Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
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Begin by preparing the Brussels sprouts. Trim the ends, remove any tough outer leaves, and thinly slice them.
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In a large bowl, combine the shredded Brussels sprouts, sliced apples, cranberries, red onion, and toasted nuts.
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In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper.
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Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients.
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If desired, sprinkle crumbled feta or goat cheese over the top and toss lightly before serving.
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Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 5 minutes (for toasting nuts) | Total Time: 20 minutes | Kcal: 180 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad for Rosh Hashanah: A Delicious Fusion of Sweet and Savory Flavors
The Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that’s perfect for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. This salad brings together the best of fall produce, combining the earthy richness of Brussels sprouts with the sweet and tart flavors of apples and cranberries. It’s not only a visually stunning dish with its bright colors and crisp textures, but it also offers a delightful contrast in taste making it an ideal side dish to complement the hearty and flavorful meals often served during Rosh Hashanah celebrations.
As we approach Rosh Hashanah, food plays an important role in the traditions of the Jewish New Year. Symbolic foods, often served during festive meals, carry deep meaning and are meant to invoke blessings for the year ahead. The Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad fits beautifully into these traditions, as apples symbolize sweetness and hope for a sweet new year, while cranberries add a sharp, tart element that is balanced by the earthiness of the Brussels sprouts.
Why Choose Brussels Sprouts for Rosh Hashanah?
Brussels sprouts are often overlooked but are an incredibly versatile vegetable that brings both nutritional value and flavor to the table. This leafy green vegetable has been gaining popularity due to its numerous health benefits. High in vitamins C and K, Brussels sprouts also contain dietary fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals like manganese and folate. They are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties, making them an excellent addition to any health-conscious diet.
During Rosh Hashanah, dishes that bring health, prosperity, and balance to the new year are favored, and Brussels sprouts, with their richness in nutrients, fit perfectly into this tradition. Their slightly bitter flavor acts as a beautiful contrast to the sweeter elements of the salad, creating a well-balanced and delicious dish that everyone will love.
The Sweetness of Apples and Cranberries
Incorporating fresh apples into this salad adds a touch of natural sweetness, which is central to the themes of Rosh Hashanah. Apples are symbolic of a sweet new year, and their crisp, juicy texture adds a refreshing component to the dish. You can use any variety of apples you prefer, but crisp apples such as Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala work particularly well, as they hold their shape well when sliced and offer a satisfying crunch.
Cranberries are another essential ingredient in this salad. Whether you use fresh or dried cranberries, they bring a tart and slightly sour note that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the apples. Cranberries also have their place in Rosh Hashanah symbolism, as they represent the bitterness of life’s challenges and the hope for renewal in the year ahead. When paired with the apples, they create a perfect balance of sweet and sour flavors, making the salad both tasty and meaningful.
Nutty Crunch: The Toasted Nuts
The addition of toasted nuts whether you choose pecans, walnuts, or a combination of both adds another layer of texture and flavor to the salad. Nuts are a great source of healthy fats, protein, and fiber, making them an excellent addition to this dish. Toasting the nuts enhances their flavor, bringing out their natural oils and giving them a deeper, more robust taste.
In many cultures, nuts are considered a symbol of fertility and prosperity, which makes them an ideal addition to a Rosh Hashanah meal. Whether served as a garnish on top or mixed throughout the salad, the nuts not only provide a satisfying crunch but also make the dish more filling and nutritious.
A Light Yet Flavorful Dressing
One of the key components of any great salad is the dressing. For the Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad, the dressing is a simple yet flavorful combination of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard. This tangy-sweet dressing complements the natural flavors of the ingredients, binding the Brussels sprouts, apples, cranberries, and nuts together into one cohesive dish.
Apple cider vinegar brings a tangy acidity that helps cut through the richness of the Brussels sprouts, while the honey adds just the right amount of sweetness. The Dijon mustard provides a hint of sharpness and depth to the dressing, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the salad. This light dressing is the perfect complement to the salad, allowing the freshness of the vegetables and fruits to shine through without overpowering them.
Versatility and Customization
One of the best things about the Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad is its versatility. While the recipe as written is already flavorful and balanced, there are many ways you can customize it to fit your taste preferences or dietary needs. For example, if you’re looking to make the salad vegan, you can easily omit the cheese or replace it with a dairy-free alternative. If you’re not a fan of Brussels sprouts, you can swap them for kale, arugula, or another leafy green that you enjoy.
For an extra boost of flavor, you can add other seasonal fruits, such as pears or pomegranates, which also hold symbolic meaning for Rosh Hashanah. Pears symbolize sweetness, while pomegranates represent righteousness and good deeds. The addition of these fruits can elevate the salad even further and make it an even more meaningful dish for the holiday table.
The Perfect Addition to Your Rosh Hashanah Table
Rosh Hashanah meals often feature a variety of dishes, from hearty stews and roasted meats to rich kugels and savory challah. While these dishes are undoubtedly delicious, they can also be quite heavy. Adding a light and refreshing salad like the Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad to the table provides a wonderful balance to the meal. The salad serves as a refreshing palate cleanser, offering a break from the richness of other dishes while still being full of flavor and nutrients.
In addition to being a delicious dish, the Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad is visually stunning, with its bright green Brussels sprouts, red cranberries, and colorful apples. This makes it not only a healthy option but also an attractive centerpiece on your holiday table. Its beautiful presentation will impress your guests and spark conversation as they enjoy its unique blend of sweet and savory flavors.
Conclusion:
The Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad is the perfect dish to bring to your Rosh Hashanah celebration. It is packed with vibrant flavors, rich textures, and meaningful symbolism, making it a wonderful addition to your holiday meal. The combination of crisp Brussels sprouts, sweet apples, tart cranberries, and toasted nuts creates a refreshing, satisfying salad that will appeal to all of your guests. Plus, the simple yet flavorful dressing ties everything together, elevating the dish to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Whether you’re looking to add a light and healthy side dish to your holiday table or simply want to enjoy a tasty salad full of seasonal ingredients, this Apple Cranberry Brussels Sprouts Salad is the perfect choice. It’s versatile, customizable, and full of flavor, making it a dish that will be enjoyed by all. So, as you celebrate the start of a new year, bring a touch of sweetness and health to your table with this delightful and symbolic salad.