Can someone advise me about Jewish Pesach food pls

[Pocketfullofdogtreats]

I'm not Jewish. A woman living near me is hosting a traditional Pesach meal and has invited people to sign up if they're interested in coming, so I have. The problem is that I'm a PITA about food. I can't eat eggs, not keen on meat, have gluten intolerance. (I do eat fish.) I've Googled to find out what she's likely to serve re the traditional foods but it's all a bit confusing. So my question is, do you think I'll be OK with the traditional foods, or will it be better if I don't go? I don't want to sit there like a lemon while everyone else is eating, or cause a problem for her.
I am of course going to talk to her beforehand, but wanted to get more info first. TIA

Presumably she's invited you for your company rather than your appetite. There's a few traditional foods and some ritual foods (bitter herbs, parsley, matza, etc), but if you're not Jewish you've no obligation to eat them. Go along!- it's a great experience

Hi

Traditionally you would expect

Matzah - gluten containing crackers. Non gluten versions very expensive so rarely provided unless absolutely necessary.

Hard boiled egg.

Romaine lettuce

Grape juice or sweet wine (4 cups is the traditional amount)

Charoset - made from crushed nuts and apple. Sometimes made with dates. Tradition has it that this look like mortar

Horseradish / bitter herbs. May not be served if there is romaine lettuce. May be just the jarred stuff.

All fruit and vegetables are kosher on Passover.

However not legumes. Not any of the gluten grains. And for most not rice. Quinoa is likely.

Generally whether it's Passover or not I can cater something for all food needs (and I have some doozies in the family) but it helps to know in advance.

I also help with the food at the school seyder (the demo one they do last day of term before Passover in primary school). There the charoset is literally grated apple, we use celery sticks instead of romain lettuce. And we also serve potato gems/ small potato cakes.

At our family Seder we always have veggie sticks, potato chips, berries as well as the traditional foods. As well as what I've listed above these can include: chopped liver, chicken soup (matzah balls optional), roast chicken/turkey, roast veggies, coconut based cakes and biscuits.

I always suggest people not used to the event or not sure about the food to eat first. That way you can just enjoy the company and not worry about whether you'll enjoy anything.

Mostly I think I'm saying: it's unlikely to matter if you don't eat much but do share your food intolerance issues in advance so at least some of it is ok for you.

Hi @McGonagallshatandglasses thank you for this info. If it's a kind of pick and mix then I'll be fine. That charoset sounds amazing. I didn't realise there would be such a variety of food. Sounds as if there will be plenty to choose from, and doubtless there will be others there who are unfamiliar with the food and will be trying it out too.

You should be OK if you can eat fish, which is a common pesach main course (for us at least). For the first few years of our relationship, DH was vegetarian which meant finding meals during pesach was a nightmare - basically he had to live off potatoes, as grains, rice and pulses aren't allowed (at least for European Jews such as ourselves). Middle Eastern/North African Jews are much more sensible and allow all of the latter!

I hope that you enjoy the Seder meal 😊

Previous poster has done a good summary but please speak to your hostess. Gluten free is pretty easy at Passover bar matzah and thry can get you gluten free matzah. There is a lot of egg including usually in the soup instead of noodles so speak beforehand and make aware. Obv depends how deadly your allergies are how easy it'll be to accomdate

It will be fine.

Thank you @Bells3032 and @Echobelly . I'm really looking forward to it now! I will have a word with her.

Do tell your hosts that you're gluten intolerant even if they can't get you subs. They can take out a portion of chicken soup (If they serve) before putting the knaidlach in. Also, if they have gefilte fish, don't eat it, there's usually matzo meal in there. Oh, and egg in both. I'd also mention the egg allergy; if someone were coming to mine with an egg allergy I'd serve roast potatoes instead of kugel.

My chopped liver has hardboiled egg in it, but again, if I knew I had an egg allergic guest I would separate some before adding the egg. I could also get the gluten free squares for the spreads (there's 2 kinds of GF matzo, one can be used for the Seder and the other can't).

If you eat poultry & veg you will be fine, as long as they know. Do avoid the desserts, virtually all Pesach desserts are heavily egg reliant unless it's fruit.

Enjoy it you’ll have an interesting experience! Thank you also for showing interest in pesach too, it’s really nice to know that non-Jews would like to be involved and really warms my heart :-)

That said, please don’t judge our cuisine based on pesach. As we aren’t allowed to eat anything that has risen there are a few substitutes in some of the meals that can be a little bit miserable (tons of almond and ground nuts being one in any baked goods, making them a bit dense.)

likewise you’ll benefit without the traditional egg in salty water!

hopefully you will love haroset as much as we all do, it’s really yummy! I’m sure your host will be a decent cook to have the confidence to open her doors like this, so I’m sure you will have a lovely time!