Tu B’Shevat, or New Year for the Trees, is coming up. Although there's still snow on the ground in some parts of the United States, this holiday marks the start of spring in Israel. One way that some people celebrate is by eating foods from the “Seven Species,” foods that were grown in ancient Israel. The Seven Species are wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates.
Use the meal plan below to introduce your family to all seven species throughout the day. And if you're looking for one recipe that features all seven together, make these awesome muffins from Tori Avey.
BREAKFAST
Looking for something simple and portable for breakfast? Whole-wheat waffles spread with fig jam or fruit kebabs featuring grapes and a side of yogurt, are a great way to kick off the day. Add a side of pomegranate juice and you're ready to rock. Here are some other quick recipes you can try to get the kids moving in the morning:
Quick and easy is the name of the game with these recipes. They're guaranteed to please little palates as well as grown-ups and each recipe is perfect for packing in a school lunch. If you're in a rush and want to go the "semi-homemade" route, grab a bagged salad kit from the produce section of your local grocery store. Many of these offer pomegranate dressings or feature dried fruits.
Whole wheat pasta or bread is an easy way to sneak in wheat. Barley soups or beef and barley stew in a slow cooker is another easy, quick, way to make a hearty meal that rounds out your day of tasting the Seven Species. You can also try swapping in barley for macaroni in a mac and cheese recipe. For more ideas check out:
Some great snacks to pack on Tu B'Shevat include frozen grapes, pomegranate seeds or juice, whole-wheat crackers, olive snack packs, green olive hummus, or one of the following:
Looking for a book about Tu B'Shevat? Find our full list here.
Are you making anything special for Tu B'Shevat? Share your photos with us on Facebook and Instagram.
« Find more activities, book lists, and recipes