During Passover, anything leavened is banned. No bread, no pasta, no beer, no doughnuts. This is the part that makes your average sandwich-lover panic. You’ll see people staring at a plate of matzo with the same expression they’d give a flat tire.
To fill the void, genius cooks invented matzo ball soup. These are fluffy dumplings made from matzo meal, eggs, and schmaltz (chicken fat). A good matzo ball is light like a cloud; a bad one is a sinker that could anchor a fishing boat. You’ll nod knowingly when your grandmother insists hers are the only correct ones.
The Gefilte Fish Situation
Then there’s gefilte fish. This is a poached fish patty that looks like a pale, jiggly hockey puck. It comes in a jar of jelly, and you usually eat it with horseradish. The first time you try it, your brain will ask, “Why is my fish wiggling?”
Honestly, gefilte fish is the mystery meat of Jewish cuisine. Some people love it; most people tolerate it out of respect. If you’re a guest at a Seder, just take a tiny piece, smile, and say, “Mmm, very traditional.” Everyone will nod approvingly.
First Passover Meal