I know this is odd, but I sometimes crave haroset and really wish some local San Francisco delis sold the 
stuff. Every once in a while after Passover, a co-worker may bring some homemade leftovers from home…but I don’t get enough exposure to the stuff. Maybe I should make a harder effort to be invited each year to a Passover Seder, to eat the food…but somehow I don’t think I should actually voice that as my goal. If any readers can recommend any San Francisco stores that sell pre-made, fresh haroset, let me know!
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I can understand the writer’s “yen” for Charoset. It’s delicious stuff, particularly with the horseradish that we top it with at Pesach when we make the Hillel & Devorah sandwich.*
But, GrubGirl-friend, you really don’t have to rely on a store for fresh Charoset. Charoset is a cinch to make, at least if you’re using an Ashkenazi recipe. (Sephardic and Mizrachi versions are to die for, but generally they include more ingredients and “real” thinking with respect to quantities.)
Here’s my recollection of my mother’s recipe, or a close approximation. I’ve seen virtually the same recipe in a number of places on the Internet.
o Take 2 or 3 apples. Peel and chop them. Throw them into the food processor if you want to further de-chunk them.
o Add a teaspoon or two of cinnamon,
o A cup, maybe a little more or less, of finely chopped walnuts or slivered almonds, and
o 3-4 tablespoons of sweet wine or honey. (Sometimes, I use a mixture, or, if I’m making the Charoset for a non-imbibing crew, I’ll mix the honey with grape juice.)
o Voila! You’ve got yourself absolutely yummy Charoset.
Have fun and enjoy!
MH
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* Yes, I added Devorah. My friend RC originally suggested the idea (more than 25 years ago), and it seemed perfect. As RC pointed out, adding Devorah brings women into the circle of wisdom that Hillel represents. Plus, it’s appropriate that Devorah lead that charge, both figuratively and literally. She’s presented in the Bible as a “thinking person’s” battle general. She was also a judge. A-n-d, her name means “bee” in Hebrew, and, shares the same root as “devash,” the word for “honey.”
Yum Maddie, this sounds so easy and tasty! I always used my inability to finely chop the apple as an excuse to buy it at a deli. 😉 But with your inspiration I’m going to have to try my hand at it!
I’ll have to investigate this Hillel & Devorah sandwich you mention. Sounds intriguingly tasty.