Is this Kosher?

[banyan]

4yo Ds's best friend is coming for tea tomorrow for first time. She's Jewish and I know she is observant and eats a Kosher diet. So DS's favourite meal of sausages is obviously out (he told me this himself)! I was going to serve fishfingers, potatoes and veg with fruit and ice cream. Then maybe some cake for a snack when she gets here. I think that is absolutely fine but just wanted to double check. Can you let me know if there is anything wrong with that, or that i need to consider as well? Thank you!

My understanding was that you could only be sure that fruits and vegetables were Kosher.

Even if you have Kosher ingredients, you can't always mix them, and need to keep them separate in preparation.

You would be best to ask the boy's mother what is acceptable.

I think it depends how oservant the family are but I'm sure the family would have told you.

I'm no use as our Jewish friends (Kosher and obervant at home) have extended their definition of kosher to include "food made with best intentions/love by friends" and would probably eat a bacon butty if we served one!

I know she eats fishfingers. I checked that with her mum but didn't want to ask about every little thing (but now wish I had as don't want to get it wrong!)

to be honest, if this kid's family was really strict about Kosher, he/she would not be coming for tea, so I do not think you need worry too much; you have already taken the potentially offensive item off the menu.

Hi banyan. We are orthodox and therefore keep kosher. Unless you are also jewish yourselves I very much doubt that this little girl keeps kosher otherwise 1) she wouldn't be coming for tea or 2) in the event that she was her mum wold supply food for her.

this is because most foods need what is called a hechsher - a kosher certificate before they can be consumed ( I am simplyfing here but most cooked baked or prepared foods will need that and this includes yogurts cheeses where the family are very strict). Fruits and veg are the exception but here too there are lawss as kosher laws prohibit the consumption of insects so strict checking laws re some fruit and veg.

Also even if you were to buy kosher food a strictly orthodox person would not be able to eat from dishes where non kosher food had been prepared or served.

So your child's friend is probably no strictly orthodox.

In your place I'd give mum a ring and get a feel for what is allowed or not. For many jews though any products from a pig or from shellfish are not allowed and animal fat is also sometimes a problem ( if the person is kosher its not a problme as will be certified anyway_).

Thank you all. Think I will double check tomorrow to be on the safe side. I know they are not Orthodox. I'm probably misunderstanding strict Kosher vs not eating pork and shellfish, will double check to be safe!