Tzimmes
Meaning
A traditional Ashkenazi Jewish stew, often sweet, typically made with carrots, dried fruits, and sometimes meat or sweet potatoes, commonly served on holidays; also, figuratively, a fuss or a complicated situation.
Origin
The word 'tzimmes' comes from Yiddish, where it literally means 'to make a fuss' or 'a commotion.' This playful name likely arose because preparing the traditional sweet, slow-cooked stew often involves a considerable amount of effort and simmering time, making it a 'fuss' to prepare for special occasions like Rosh Hashanah or Passover. The dish itself has deep roots in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine from Eastern Europe, where it became a cherished symbol of sweetness and good fortune, bringing together humble ingredients like carrots, prunes, and honey into a celebratory centerpiece.
Examples
- My grandmother always made a large pot of tzimmes for the Passover seder, simmering it slowly with prunes and honey.
- The bureaucratic red tape around the permit application turned into a real tzimmes, taking weeks to sort out.