Ahhh

Nancy?

I am also making a turkey as my own personal Siman that this year should be good and not a “turkey” of a year

Shanah tovah!

the main course will be momo (Nepali dumplings) and achar (a tomato ”pickle”) which is not technically a Siman BUT (1) it is a tradition to eat dumpling like foods on RH and (2) it also contains fenugreek, often used for Siman 5

Simon 8: Trader Joe's Candied Scandinavian Fish, Heads only
…that we be a head and not a tail

This is a combination of two traditions - one where some use a fish head, and one where some have a lambs head on the table. As adventurous as we are with food, this is not our jam

Siman 7: Gourds (not sure what doing here yet)
…that our decree be torn up 
(this is because the Aramiac word for “gourd” and “torn” are similar

Siman 6: Dates, as incorporated into Persian Jeweled Rice
…that our problems be “consumed”
(This is because the Hebrew word for a date is similar to the word consume)

Siman 5: Sautéed leeks 
…that those who would hurt us be “cur off”( This is because the Hebrew word for “leek” resembles the Hebrew word for Karet -exclusion)

Siman 5 Alternative: Collard Greens
(Mainly because they go with the black eyed peas. Mmm)

Siman 4: Roast Carrots w/the greens
….that our merits increase even more (greedy!)
(this is a pun on the word for carrot in Yiddish sounding like “more”)

Siman 3: Faux Hoppin’ Johns (black eyed peas but obs no ham)

Like Pomegranates, these are a symbol that our merits should increase. Think of them as savory merits instead of sweet ones.

Siman 1: The Apple in Honey: The one we all know
…that we be renewed for a sweet year 


Siman 2: Pomegranate Seeds: the messy one
…that our merits should increase like the seeds of a pomegranate

These foods are called “simanim” aka “signs”

Do you follow this custom? If so, what are you making? I'm gonna write what I'm making following in the following posts

@gwillow.me one day you’ll be on the NY area during the High Holidays and I’ll get some Momo and achar to you