Spring has arrived and brought with it the sometimes dreaded Jewish holiday, Passover. Just in case you are not familiar with the holiday, here is the quick backstory.
Passover commemorates the Jewish exodus from Egypt. The holiday is celebrated for eight days and is bookended by Seders, commemoratory meals that include a retelling of the exodus story complete with ritual foods.
Now, what makes this holiday different from all other holidays? That was a reference to the four questions for all you Jews out there.
For the duration of the holiday, those observing are prohibited from eating anything with leavened products known as chametz. We do this because when the Israelites were leaving Egypt, they left before their bread had any time to rise.
This unleavened bread became known as matzah. In case you get a little bored of just matzah during your week of chametz-free eating, here are some easy Kosher for Passover food swaps you can try.
1. Swap Pasta for Quinoa
Photo by Parisa Soraya
Depending on what your specific Passover customs are, quinoa can be a great substitute for pasta or other off-limits leavened food. It is also loaded with healthy carbs and lots of fiber, which makes it a great substitute any day of the year. Look for quinoa marked with OU, which signifies that it is Kosher for Passover. Try making quinoa fried rice for a filling meal that’ll make you forget it’s Passover.
2. Swap Noodles for Zoodles
Photo by Jacky Falkenberg
I always find myself craving pasta. This is a great swap for spaghetti or any other pasta. You can make zucchini noodles, or zoodles, easily with a special tool that you can find at many grocery stores. Just toss the zoodles with your favorite pasta sauce, like this amazing pumpkin sauce, and you are ready to go. This is also a wonderful option for anyone eating gluten-free.
3. Swap Wheat Pizza Crust for Cauliflower Pizza Crust
Photo by Laura Silver
A cauliflower craze seems to be sweeping the food world. It is one of my favorite vegetables and is a great substitute for carby foods in many dishes.
If you choose to make a pizza with cauliflower crust, you can cut up to 300 calories from the dish. You can also try cauliflower “mashed potatoes” or cauliflower “fried rice.”
4. Swap Wheat Flour for Almond or Coconut Flour
Photo by Stephanie Lee
For those of you with a big sweet tooth, going a week without any baked goods may be very difficult. If this is the case, try making your favorite recipes with almond or coconut flour. These flours are K for P and will allow you to make your favorite desserts. You can even make your own almond flour!
5. Swap Normal Vodka for Potato or other K for P Vodkas
To many Jews’ dismay, vodka and many other hard liquors are not K for P. No worries! There are several companies that are making K for P vodka. Some of my favorites include L’Chaim, Zachlawi and Distillery 209.
I hope this list makes it a little easier for you to enjoy your Passover carb cleanse. Chag Samaeach, Happy Holidays!
For more Passover survival tips: