Pomegranate and Apple Sukkot Strudel

September 20, 2023

Sukkot is a week-long festival centered around rejoicing and thanksgiving in God’s protection and provision. The feast is synonymous with building a sukkah (or sukkot for plural), a hut-like structure that serves as a reminder of the flimsy shelters the Israelites lived in during their 40 years in the desert following the Exodus from Egypt. For the seven days of Sukkot, Israelis spend their days in these outside structures, eating, visiting with friends or even sleeping under the stars. Meals during Sukkot typically include fresh fruits, with apples and pomegranate featuring as firm holiday favorites. This simple strudel recipe incorporates both of these fruits and makes for the perfect sweet final to any Sukkot feast.

Ingredients

5 apples, peeled and cut into small chunks
2 Tbsp. butter
2 ½ Tbsp. orange juice
4 ½ Tbsp. pomegranate juice
1 ¼ Tbsp. honey
3 Tbsp. brown sugar (plus a little extra for garnishing)
1 egg, beaten
1 ¼ tsp. cinnamon
2 sheets puff pastry

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line two trays with parchment paper.
2. Using a saucepan, heat the butter until melted. Add the apples and cook for 2 minutes until golden.
3. Add the orange juice, pomegranate juice, honey and brown sugar. Mix until the sugar dissolves and simmer until the apples are soft and tender.
4. Set the saucepan aside and allow the apples to cool thoroughly.
5. Once the apples are cool, place the two sheets of pastry side by side on a flat surface.
6. Divide the apple mixture in half and place one half portion on the bottom side of each sheet of pastry, making for two strudels.
7. Brush the edges of both sheets with egg and fold each in half, using a fork to press the edges down firmly.
8. Make ¾ inch (2 cm.) cuts along the top of the pastries to form the strudel pattern
9. Brush the top of the strudels with beaten egg, and finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar.
10. Bake for 20–25 minutes until the pastry is golden brown.
11. Allow the strudels to cool for a few minutes, then cut and serve with vanilla ice cream or custard.

Serves 10

Photo Credit: Click on photo to see photo credit