My Grandmother’s Recipes: Part 3, Appetizers.

We are up to holiday appetizers and Part 3 of my story, Beautiful People (click for Part 1Part 2, Part 4Part 5Part 6Part 7).

Part 3
Part 3 cont
part 3 fin

3. Hassidic Jews – from Hassidism, a religious movement originated in Southern Poland in 18th century

4. Reds – supporters of the Red (Bolshevik, later Communist) Army

5. Whites – supporters of the old regime, or Czarist Army

6. Greens – supporters of the Ukrainian Nationalist Army, as well as random gangs or unaffiliated marauders. All of these were warring factions during the Civil War of 1918 – 1920.

7. Vera Kholodnaya – one of the most famous Russian silent movie actresses, analogous to Bette Davis or Marlene Dietrich.

8. Shivah – seven days of mourning following the death of a relative.

9. Birobidjan – an autonomous republic established for Jews by Stalin’s order in 1934, located in the far northeast of the Soviet Union, close to the Chinese border.

10. Shikseh – a woman or girl of non-Jewish birth.

As you will find out when you open the actual appetizer recipes, they are loaded with symbolism meant to bring good luck in the New Year – “a bissele Mazel“!

Enjoy!

18 Comments Add yours

  1. lifelessons says:

    Such a sad sad history. So you never found out what happened to Riva?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Nope, it was totally hushed up in the family.

      Like

  2. Did you try fenugreek leaves? I missed the carrots and honey first time round.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. No, because it was not in my grandmother’s repertoire, but I am more than willing to try next year. Since I am still in the wheelchair, I am not cooking this year. We are being hosted by the Rabbi’s family for holidays.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’m so sorry you are still in the wheelchair

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Thank you, Derrick. It’s a long process, but I am navigating around the apartment easily, other than the kitchen, because the aisles on both sides of the central one are too narrow. My husband is still cooking, under my supervision.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I hadn’t realised. But then, you don’t dwell on it X

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Why would I want to? This is part of life, and there are much more interesting subjects to write about.

        Liked by 1 person

      5. Understood – and identified re my knees 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Sheree says:

    How wonderful that you have this record

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, dear Sheree.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sheree says:

        You’re very welcome

        Liked by 1 person

  4. GP says:

    Quite the history and delicious food to accompany it!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much for your kind comment, GP.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. It makes me sad to think how many beautiful young girls with stars in their eyes were lured away by unscrupulous men.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, especially in the whirlwind of the revolution and social changes.

      Like

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