Traditional Tzimmes Recipe
This Tzimmes combines tender sweet potatoes, juicy dried fruits, and a sticky, spiced glaze that’s pure alchemy. It’s a centuries-old tradition made vegan, gluten-free, and totally weeknight-friendly—no special equipment, no “fuss,” just a simple, foolproof recipe you will adore every single time.
Servings: 10 cups
Calories: 315kcal
Cost: $7.50
Ingredients
- 3 pounds sweet potatoes peeled, and cut into 1 ½ inch chunks
- 2 pounds carrots peeled, and cut in 1 inch pieces
- 1 cup prunes pitted
- ½ cup dried apricots California-style apricots are best
- ¼ cup golden raisins
- 2 cup orange juice ideally fresh squeezed
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 3 tablespoons water
- ¼ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the sweet potatoes and carrots in a large baking dish or ovenproof pot. Add the prunes, dried apricots, and golden raisins, spreading them evenly over the vegetables.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the orange juice and zest, water, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, salt, and olive oil. Whisk until the sugar and spices are fully dissolved.
- Pour the liquid mixture over the sweet potatoes, carrots, and dried fruits. Stir gently to ensure the ingredients are evenly coated. Cover the dish tightly with a lid or foil.
- Bake for 60 minutes, stirring once halfway through cooking, until the vegetables are tender and the liquid has thickened slightly into a glaze.
- After one hour, remove the foil and let it cook for an additional 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, uncover, and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Video
Notes
🎭 The Shape of Things
Cut sweet potatoes and carrots into similar-sized pieces for even cooking. This prevents some from turning mushy while others stay undercooked.
🍯 Sugar, We’re Goin Down Swinging
Tzimmes can get cloyingly sweet fast—reduce added sugar or stir in a splash of apple cider vinegar or a pinch of salt to keep the flavors balanced.
🔥 The Pot Thickens
No big Pyrex? No problem. Use a heavy, ovenproof pot or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid for even heat distribution and perfectly tender tzimmes.
Nutrition
Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 316mg | Potassium: 1090mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 34932IU | Vitamin C: 34mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 2mg