Introduction: Why Fish on Rosh Hashanah?

We enter Rosh HaShanah, the Jewish New Year, with a traditional meal where each vegetable and fruit symbolizes a special blessing. One of these blessings includes a whole fish (including its head), where we wish and pray to be “the head, not the tail.” (Deuteronomy 28:13)

Jewish history has seen both good times and tragedies, and some eat the entire fish at Rosh Hashanah as a symbol of the unwavering resilience and the wish to be strong, no matter our circumstances.

Fish also symbolizes fruitfulness, “may we be fruitful and multiply like fish.” Similarly, Yeshua likens us to fruit trees and calls us to bear fruit. May this year be full of good fruit!

Main Dish for Rosh Hashanah

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Baking Time: 25 minutes (depending on your oven)
Total Time: 35 minutes

Baked Salmon Ingredients

5 salmon fillets
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon of a mixed spice blend (oregano, thyme, rosemary)
1 medium lemon: ½ for juice, ½ for thin slices

Supplies for Baking

Small bowl
Oven-safe baking dish
Parchment paper
Aluminum foil

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C). Place the salmon on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, and season with salt and pepper (generously, but tastefully).

2. In a small bowl, mix the oil, garlic, spices, and the juice of half a lemon. Brush the bottom and sides of each fillet, and place a thin slice of lemon on top of each one.

3. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 25 minutes (depending on the thickness of the fillets), then uncover and finish 1–2 minutes under the grill. Enjoy!