Roasted Tzimmes Recipe (Better Than Mom's!)

An untraditional tzimmes recipe made with traditional ingredients but it's roasted instead of stewed. Personally, I love roasted veggies more than stewed, so I prefer this over Mom's! Have fun trying different veggie and fruit combinations and serving this as a side dish for most any occasion!

If you love roasted veggies, you will love this tzimmes.

Never heard of tzimmes? Well, I know you aren't the first!

And if you want to peruse more Jewish recipes be sure to check these out!

What is a Tzimmes?

A tzimes, (tzimmes) is a Jewish side dish that comes in many versions.

Traditionally, a tzimmes recipe is a stew made with root vegetables and dried fruits. Often made in a Dutch oven it can also be baked or cooked on the top of the stove.

Many cooks make this in a rectangular pan that is covered with foil.

Covering the pot or pan allow the veggies to soften and become a stew, whereas this untraditional tzimmes recipe roasts the veggies, which is what I prefer.

Tzimmes recipes almost always contains a variety of root vegetables and usually prunes, raisins or other dried fruit.

Honey is often mixed in too, which makes this a common side dish for Rosh Hashanah, though it is perfect for Passover, too.

My mother always added a chunk of brisket to hers though, I prefer mine vegetarian style.

Tzimmes, which Google likes to spell tzimes, besides having the sweetness of fruit, also often has cinnamon added. 

Questions About Tzimmes

Let's Talk: Ingredients and Substitutions for Tzimmes

This modern version of Askenazic tzimmes is a bit more on the savory side, though it does get added sweetness from the figs, orange juice and molasses.

This roasted carrot and parsnip tzimmes (tzimes) recipe also has garlic and onion which is not common in most recipes.

Just a bit of molasses gives this a simple hearty flavor. However if you want to add honey use it in place of molasses. Brown sugar is what my mother used.

Want a more Sephardic flavor? Date syrup (silan)or a pomegranate molasses would work instead of molasses.

Don't like figs? Add in some prunes, dates or raisins or dried apricots. This dish is not to be fussed over!

Orange juice or tangerine juice is essential.

Sweet potatoes and carrots are traditional, but white potatoes are often used too. And be sure to add some colorful caarrots, along with the orange ones!

I'm a parsnip lover. If you'vee never tried them, you should. They are slightly sweet and are great roasted.

Rutabagas and turnips are great substitions or add-ins.

Any root vegetables will work as long as they roast in about the same time. Make sure to cut them the same size so this happens. 

Bay leaves? Not traditional, but I knew my father did not like za'atar so I added bay leaves instead. Many seasonings can be used in tzimmes. Think baharat, ras el hanout, or just cinnamon.

My Tzimmes Story

Now let's state the facts. As a child, and even as an adult, I hated tzimmes.

My mom kvelled over tzimmes.

She loved the stuff, but me, not so much.

Not being a lover of stew, tzimmes (tsimmes) just wasn't my childhood dream. 

Each holiday everyone always fussed over Mom's tzimmes, especially my father.

My father loved the leftovers! A big fuss was always made over how good it was.

And yeah, that's exactly what tzimmes means; a fuss. 

So if someone ever says to you, "Don't make a tzimmes over it." they are telling you not to fuss over something. Yes, I do love this word!

Last year for Passover I made this tzimmes recipe.

Supposedly tzimmes is a lot of chopping because of all that goes into it, which is all the more reason for me to avoid making it.

Well, that is until I found this recipe.

I do love tradition and it was with great expectations that I made this.

Though my parents did not consider it tzimmes, I loved this new modern version!

Filled with sweet potatoes and parsnips and figs, I also think this would make a snazzy Thanksgiving side. And you don't have to make a tzimmes over it!

The original recipe that I spied came from a JCC cookbook-the Community Table and it is a good one.

That recipe had za'atar in it and well, you know how much I adore za'atar, but being Passover and all, and knowing that my dad is not big on too many seasonings, I switched it up a bit to make it more traditional-well-in an untraditional sense!

No this isn't a stew. It is easy to make. It is pretty. It tastes good.

It can be served at room temperature, which means it can give you extra oven space, which is BIG for Thanksgiving.

And last, but not least, it isn't a tzimmes to make!

This roasted carrot recipe is easy to make and though it does not have the texture of stew, it is worthy on its own.

Healthy and tasty, this is one version I can make a tzimmes over!

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More Jewish Side Dishes

Roasted Carrots with Hazelnuts and Raisins (This is a great carrot dish also!)

Over 50 Rosh Hashanah Recipes

Kasha Varnishkes