Heartwarming Tzimmes Recipe: Ina Garten’s Cozy Sweet Surprise

Warm, golden carrots mingle with sweet potatoes in this classic Ina Garten tzimmes recipe that captures the heart of Jewish comfort cooking.

Tender root vegetables slowly simmer with honey and dried fruits, creating a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate.

Each spoonful tells a story of tradition and warmth from generations past.

The dish brings a rich, comforting sweetness that feels like a culinary hug on a cool autumn day.

Carrots caramelize beautifully, releasing their natural sugars and blending with hints of cinnamon and orange zest.

Fragrant and inviting, this tzimmes promises to become a cherished addition to your holiday table.

Dive into this delectable recipe and let its soulful flavors transport you to a world of culinary nostalgia.

Personalize Tzimmes with Ina’s Flavor Ideas

• Replace brown sugar with honey or maple syrup for a more complex, natural sweetness that enhances the root vegetables' earthy flavors.
• Add diced chicken, beef brisket, or kosher beef chunks to transform this side dish into a hearty main course for family dinners.
• Sprinkle ground ginger or cardamom for an unexpected warmth that complements the cinnamon and creates a more sophisticated flavor profile.
• Prepare the tzimmes up to two days in advance and gently reheat before serving, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify for an even more delicious dish.
• Use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock and add chopped toasted pecans or almonds for extra crunch and protein, making it a satisfying vegetarian option.

How to Plate Tzimmes in a Modern Way

• Elevate Your Tzimmes Experience: Serving Suggestions
• Pair with Protein: Serve alongside roasted chicken or brisket for a hearty Jewish holiday meal that brings warmth and comfort to your table.
• Garnish with Freshness: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or toasted nuts like pecans on top to add a delightful crunch and bright flavor contrast.
• Make It a Buffet Star: Present in a beautiful ceramic dish that highlights the vibrant colors of the vegetables, creating an inviting centerpiece for family gatherings.
• Leftover Magic: Enjoy as a delicious next-day side dish or blend into a smooth soup by adding extra stock for a quick and tasty lunch option.

Keep Ina Garten’s Tzimmes Fresh After Cooking

• Refrigerate Smartly: Store leftover tzimmes in an airtight container for up to 4 days, keeping the flavors rich and ingredients fresh.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Transfer cooled tzimmes to freezer-safe containers, which will maintain quality for 2-3 months, perfect for quick side dishes.
• Reheat with Care: Warm gently in a covered dish at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes, adding a splash of chicken stock to prevent drying and restore moisture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire dish 1-2 days before serving, allowing spices and ingredients to develop deeper, more complex flavors in the refrigerator.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 200 kcal

Servings: 8

What Goes Into Ina Garten’s Tzimmes Dish

• Onions: Sweet and soft foundation that provides rich, mellow depth to the dish.
• Carrots: Bright orange roots adding natural sweetness and vibrant color to the tzimmes.
• Sweet Potatoes: Creamy, earthy tubers bringing substantial texture and subtle sweetness.
• Butternut Squash: Silky, nutty vegetable contributing velvety smoothness and golden warmth.

• Chicken Stock: Savory liquid creating moisture and intensifying overall taste profile.
• Orange Zest, Orange Juice: Citrusy brightness that cuts through richness and adds zesty complexity.
• Brown Sugar: Deep caramel-like sweetener providing gentle, molasses-like undertones.
• Butter: Luxurious fat that rounds out flavors and creates incredible silkiness.

• Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice delivering cozy, nostalgic essence to the dish.
• Prunes: Tender, concentrated sweet-tart dried fruits adding luxurious texture and depth.
• Salt: Essential mineral that balances and elevates all other flavor components.
• Black Pepper: Subtle heat and sharpness that sparks the overall taste experience.
• Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity cooking fat for initiating the foundational sauté process.

Tools to Prep for Ina’s Classic Tzimmes

• Dutch Oven or Ovenproof Pot: Large, heavy-bottomed pot like Le Creuset for sautéing and baking.
• Cutting Board: For chopping onions, carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp knife for precise vegetable cutting.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: For stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: To accurately measure salt, pepper, and other seasonings.
• Measuring Cups: For measuring chicken stock and orange juice.
• Zester or Grater: To zest oranges.
• Oven Mitts: For handling hot pot and removing from oven safely.

Make Tzimmes at Home with Ina’s Instructions

• Onion Preparation

Warm olive oil in a spacious Dutch oven, allowing onions to soften and caramelize slowly over gentle heat until they turn golden and tender.

• Vegetable Medley

Combine a colorful array of root vegetables and squash, creating a vibrant base with sweet potatoes, carrots, and butternut squash that promise rich, earthy flavors.

• Citrus and Spice Infusion

Splash in fresh orange zest and juice, then sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon to awaken the vegetables with bright, sweet undertones that dance across the palate.

• Dried Fruit Accent

Nestle plump prunes atop the vegetable mixture, adding a luxurious depth and unexpected sweetness that complements the savory elements.

• Slow Baking

Gently simmer the dish in a moderate oven, allowing the ingredients to meld together and develop a harmonious, comforting flavor profile that speaks to traditional Jewish culinary traditions.

Hearty Ina Garten Tzimmes Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet potato tzimmes blends traditional Jewish culinary heritage with comforting winter flavors. Rich carrot and sweet potato medley delivers delectable warmth that connects family recipes with cherished cultural memories.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 pounds (907 grams) sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1½-inch chunks
• 2 pounds (907 grams) butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1½-inch chunks
• 1 pound (454 grams) carrots, unpeeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
• 3 cups (710 milliliters) chopped yellow onions (2 large)
• 2 cups (300 grams) pitted prunes
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken stock, preferably homemade
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) freshly squeezed orange juice (2 large oranges)
• 2 tbsps (30 grams) unsalted butter, diced
• ¼ cup (50 grams) light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 tsp (5 milliliters) grated orange zest
• ½ tsp (2.5 milliliters) ground cinnamon
• good olive oil
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 325°F with rack centered, creating an ideal cooking environment for the tzimmes.
2. Sautéing Foundation: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat, gently cooking onions until they transform into a soft, translucent base, developing deep flavor complexity.
3. Vegetable Integration: Layer carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash into the onion mixture, creating a vibrant and textured vegetable ensemble.
4. Flavor Infusion: Pour chicken stock, orange zest, and juice into the pot, introducing bright citrus notes while creating a luxurious cooking liquid.
5. Seasoning Harmony: Sprinkle brown sugar, add butter, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper, ensuring a balanced and nuanced flavor profile across the dish.
6. Prune Distribution: Elegantly scatter prunes across the vegetable landscape, allowing them to nestle into the mixture and contribute their sweet, rich undertones.
7. Slow Transformation: Bring liquid to a gentle simmer, cover the Dutch oven, and transfer to the preheated oven, allowing the ingredients to meld and soften for 40-45 minutes.
8. Final Touch: Remove from oven, thoroughly stir to integrate all components, taste and adjust seasonings, then serve warm, presenting a comforting and aromatic tzimmes.

Notes

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and measure ingredients in advance to streamline cooking process and reduce kitchen stress.
• Temperature Control: Use medium heat when sautéing onions to prevent burning and ensure even caramelization for deeper flavor development.
• Vegetable Texture Check: Test vegetable tenderness with a fork at 40-minute mark; cooking time might vary based on produce size and oven performance.
• Flavor Balancing Tip: Taste and adjust seasoning after baking, as sweet potatoes and butternut squash can absorb salt differently during roasting.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Jewish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 6 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 10 mg