Sweetly Simple Tzimmis

Tzimmis is a sweet vegetable dish; it is popularly served on Jewish Holidays, especially Rosh Hashannah, the Jewish New Year. Eat sweet food and you will have a sweet year.

I make mine vegetarian, but some people make it with meat or poultry, as a very tasty one-pot meal. It can be made in a "slow cooker," though I cook it on the stove. There are no "rules" other than having something sweet in it.

I'm giving "measurements" according to your "pot."

If you're making it with meat, put it on the very bottom of the pot. Put a generous layer of prunes and raisins in your pot. Then about double the height of sliced carrots, or baby carrots. Then even more of sweet potatoes cut into big chunks and pumpkin if available; squash is optional. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon and a couple of tablespoons of brown sugar. You can use honey, too, but the brown sugar has more flavor. Add water up to 3/4 of the vegetables.

Start on a high flame until boiling (and keep checking or it will boil over like it just did on my stove.) Then lower the heat to simmer. If you have a good quality pot, there won't be any need to add more water; otherwise, if you can't see the liquid, add.

You can be creative; reduce or even eliminate the sugar. Add other fruits etc. But it may be best to start with the basic recipe and make it differently each time.

Have a wonderful year.