Traditional Jewish Wedding Food and the Jews are one of the world’s most notable groups of people, based on their doctrines and traditions. This is because virtually all things about them are defined by Sabbath laws, mosaic laws, and their traditional festivals. This in itself is a good thing for the sole purpose of cultural preservation, development, and authenticity.

When it comes to food, Jewish wedding foods or meals are as diverse but limited to the kosher, which is the name used in reference to official Jewish foods. It’s also interesting to note that because of the Jewish varied cultures, location differences, and sparse ingredient availability in different Jewish abodes globally, Jewish wedding foods also vary. This, therefore, brings afore a variety of contradicting versions of what the real Jewish wedding foods are all about. The purpose of this article is to look at the different Jewish wedding foods, their varieties, and their preparation. The article also tries to suggest ways to make these meals memorable and natural, so as to befit the traditional Jewish wedding setting.

As mentioned earlier, kosher is the main Jewish wedding meal or food. Based on a recent survey, this food is biblical and is drawn from the vast Jewish history, traditional cultures, and so on. For instance, no traditional Jewish wedding meal is supposed to consist of pork, dairy, and other un-hoofed products. These products are considered unholy and hence prohibited in traditional Jewish weddings as cuisine. Other mainstream foods that are prohibited in traditional Jewish weddings include those foods that contain blood.

Traditional Jewish wedding foods can be divided into three main courses: appetizers, dessert, and of course the side dishes.  Some of the common Jewish wedding servings/foods that serve these food courses include the following:

Appetizer foods

Appetizers that can be used for Jewish wedding foods are the general foods that make good appetizers in other global civilizations. The more popular ones include black bean dip, spinach dip, tzatzki dip, baba ganoush, and herb dip, among others. It’s also common to find common dairy products in other communities used as appetizers at weddings. For traditional Jewish weddings, however, milk products can be replaced by fruit and cheese platter; although chicken and fish canapés also serve the appetizer purpose.

Dessert

Dessert is considered a very important aspect of meal planning, and this is also covered when planning for Jewish wedding food as well. Whereas this portion is wide in terms of the available options, it’s good if you keep the menu creative with a variety of Jewish wedding food choices.  Apple cake, sorbet, and pears in spice sauce, lemon meringue pie, and fruit compote make mouth-watering traditional Jewish wedding food when included in the dessert.

Side dishes

Side dishes are known as the main meal in most societies. The rule to observe here is: no one starves in a traditional Jewish wedding. This calls for as much food as possible to ensure that everyone not covered in traditional Jewish food, has something to consume. Based on where you’re located, location-based dishes are a good bet.

Generally, while keeping your Jewish wedding ideas to a limited variety of dishes, it’s important to observe a number of basic party-food rules. Just keep the drinks flowing; traditional kosher rules above and you will have a fabulous Jewish wedding food experience, anywhere in the world.

Traditional Jewish Wedding Food

It is not a tradition if it is new. No truer words can describe the traditional Jewish wedding food. The meal served during Jewish weddings has been around for thousands of years. Although the food in the menu, nowadays, have some variations depending on the bride’s and the groom’s background, the traditional Jewish wedding meal is essentially the same.

Appetizers

For an appetizer that will complement any main dish, try a vegetable platter with parve dips. You can never go wrong with parve dips such as black bean dip, spinach dip, herb dip, tzatzki dip, and baba ganoush.

A fruit and cheese platter best complements milk meals. Try serving melon cubes and grapes with kosher cheeses. Include some fancy crackers and breadsticks to make the platter more appetizing.

If you are serving meat as the main course, you may serve chicken- or fish-filled canapés as appetizers.

SIDE DISHES

For side dishes, roasted vegetables with herbs and couscous are a crowd favorite. With its colorful herbs and attractive garnishes, it is no wonder why. If you really want to stick to traditional Jewish wedding food, kugel is the appropriate side dish.

DESSERTS

No celebration is complete without a tray or two of sweets.

The traditional Jewish wedding desserts include apple cake, sorbet, lemon meringue pie, fruit compote, and pears in spice sauce. While all these are mouth-watering, it is advisable to stick to only two kinds of desserts. Since the food served in Jewish weddings is also based on the traditional Jewish celebration of the wedding, the bride and the groom should consult with the officiating rabbi when it comes to the main course.