L’Shana Tova! Celebrate the Jewish New Year With Andrew Zimmern's Noodle Kugel

Rosh Hashanah is one of the most festive celebrations in the Hebrew year and food is an integral part of the festivities. From Emmy- and James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, we've got an excellent Noodle Kugel recipe that he hopes will bring some sweetness to the Jewish New Year.

When is Rosh Hashanah 2024?

This year, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, and concludes at sundown on Friday, October 4, 2024.

Related: 15 Happy Rosh Hashanah Greetings

What Food Can You Eat on Rosh Hashanah?

The most symbolic Rosh Hashanah ingredients are pomegranates, honey, string beans, beets or spinach, carrots and fish, with traditional dishes like Challah, Noodle Kugel and Honey Cake often served at the dinner table.

Speaking of kugel, Zimmern shared his grandmother's Kugel recipe below, calling it very important, not only because it pairs so well with the Rosh Hashanah meal, but because the sweetness is symbolic of a wish for a sweet New Year.

Says Zimmern: "For those who observe Kashrut, all these items are available in Kosher form, but since you aren’t mixing milk and meat everyone should be able to put this amazing Noodle Kugel dish on their holiday table for Rosh Hashanah.”

Related: The Absolute Best Way to Make Tender, Juicy Brisket, According to Chef Andrew Zimmern (and His Grandmother)

What is Noodle Kugel?

Noodle Kugel is a traditional Jewish egg noodle casserole. Zimmern's take on the classic is creamy and rich however, with cottage cheese and sour cream, studded with raisins and apricots, and topped with cinnamon, almonds and brown sugar for a touch of sweetness.

In addition to Noodle Kugel, his Rosh Hashanah menu will also include: Matzah Ball Soup, Sephardic Eggplant Salad (a chunky, salad-dip hybrid similar to a Greek Caponata) and Apple Crumb Cake (with caramelized apples and a streusel crumb topping).

Related: Delicious Holiday Honey Pecan Cake Recipe

Try these recipes out for your own Jewish New Year celebration this week. L’Shana Tova!

Related: 10 Traditional Jewish Recipes That Work for Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah

Andrew Zimmern's Noodle Kugel Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb extra wide egg noodles

• 4 cups cottage cheese

• 3 cups milk

• ⅔ cup melted butter

• 1 cup sugar

• 6 eggs

• 2 tsp salt

• 1½ cups sour cream

• ½ cup raisins

• ½ cup minced dried apricots

• 1 Tbsp cinnamon

• ½ cup sliced almonds

• ¼ cup brown sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Cook the egg noodles in a large volume of boiling water. Drain and cool.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, milk, butter, sugar, eggs, salt, sour cream, raisins, apricots and 2 teaspoons of the cinnamon. Whisk to combine. Add the noodles, stirring until fully incorporated.

4. Butter a large pan, or two smaller brownie pans. Pour the noodle mixture into the pan and top with the remaining cinnamon, almonds and brown sugar.

5. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until set and golden brown.