The full moon of Sukkot reveals all that was hidden on the new moon of Rosh Hashanah.

We’ve built Sukkah and decorated it. Now, what are we eating?

I’ve been always wondering what kind of meals are prepared and eaten on Sukkot? My search showed that there are no traditional Sukkot foods, except for kreplach (stuffed dumplings with ground chicken, beef or cheese).

That makes sense. Unlike Yom Kippur (a highly individual holiday), Sukkot is a community festival and many dumplings may be symbolic of many folks getting together celebrating life and lighting candles in their sukkahs.

Kreplach shaped like tortellini came to the Jews of Germany through Venice in the early 14th century. Different fillings were used, but meat kreplach that go into chicken soup are traditionally served for Sukkot.

They say that Kreplach carries a lot of lofty symbolism; its triangular shape represents Judaism’s three patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

It’s a comfort meal that warms you and nourishes you in many ways. So I decided to make some kreplach and found them very similar to my staple homemade dish – pelmeni. Except that they are different in form.

Prepare dough as for pelmeni. Form thin squares, fill with ground beef or chicken and fold into triangles. Seal the edges. Boil in water with bouquet garni and serve with chicken broth.

Sukkot meal inspiration can also come from the harvest origin of the holiday. Seasonal soup and vegetable recipes can be incorporated  into the meals.

Other traditional Jewish foods such as challah, chicken soup, gefilte fish, liver pate, eggplant dip, lamb or beef meatballs and sweet potato tzimmes can be served on Sukkot as well as any time of the year.

This year we celebrate Sukkot from September 23 to September 30.  So you still have plenty of time to make kreplach.

Chag Sameach! Have a good weather and a clear sky!

P.S. All the food featured in this post has been prepared and photographed by me.