Kosherfest participants check out the products at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, N.J., Nov. 13, 2018. (Josefin Dolsten)
SECAUCUS, N.J. (JTA) — Once a year, this swampy neighbor of New York City turns into kosher food heaven. Jews from across the country gather at the Meadowlands Exposition Center for the world’s largest kosher food trade show, Kosherfest.
There’s plenty of nosherai, Yiddish and kippahs to go around at an event where attendees skew Orthodox and male. Some 300 exhibitors showed their products on Nov. 13-14 to an audience of some 5,000 food industry professionals, vendors and journalists.
JTA has rounded up some of the more unusual products at the 2018 Kosherfest, from plantain croutons to dessert ravioli and a menorah-shaped ice cream cake.
Plantain croutons
Plantain croutons don’t get soggy, their manufacturer says. (Josefin Dolsten)
Home cooks looking to spice up their salads need look no further. These plantain croutons, which are manufactured in Ecuador and won Kosherfest’s award for the best new savory snack, pack a salty crunch and are gluten free. Feel free to pour on the dressing: The manufacturer claims they don’t get soggy like the regular ones.
Plantain croutons are available in supermarkets throughout the U.S. for around $2.50 for a 5-ounce package. They are flavored with sea salt, but new flavors — including garlic, lemon and spicy — will hit stores soon.
“It’s all natural,” said Enrique Villacreses, general manager of TropicMax. “You can use it for soups, salads, and it always keeps crunchy.”
Sweet cheese chocolate chip ravioli
Sweet cheese chocolate chip ravioli from New York Pasta Authority — for when you can’t decide between dinner and dessert. (Josefin Dolsten)
Craving pasta but also in the mood for something sweet? These unique ravioli will satisfy your craving. The pasta is breaded and stuffed with sweet ricotta cheese and chocolate chips. They are sold frozen and can be heated up in the oven at home. For those seeking a savory version, New York Pasta Authority also sells more traditional flavors, such as spinach cheese, mushroom and pizza ravioli. The raviolis retail for about $5 for 12 ounces; the sweet variety will be available in about three months in kosher stores.
“It’s special because people don’t think that a ravioli would be dessert or sweet,” said Chavi Katzman, who founded New York Pasta Authority with her husband, Moshe.
Menorah-shaped ice cream cake
Klein’s Ice Cream offers a cake, center, with slices that look like Hanukkah menorahs. (Josefin Dolsten)
Klein’s Ice Cream gives sufganiyot a run for their money with a cake with slices that look like Hanukkah menorahs. The pareve (non-dairy) and vegan dessert is made of cherry and passion fruit-mango sorbet and is topped with chocolate icing. The health-conscious can delight — or at least take solace — in the fact that the cake, which comes pre-sliced, is made with real fruit. (Another version has slices that look like candle flames.) The menorah cake is only sold around Hanukkah, but those looking for a cold treat can buy other varieties of Klein’s Ice Cream year-round. A 12-slice log costs about $30 and is available in kosher supermarkets.
“If you buy it for your kids, your kids will love you,” said Victor Klein, manager of Klein’s Ice Cream.
Coconut-based butter substitute
Betterine, a non-dairy, all-natural butter substitute, is displayed at Kosherfest. (Josefin Dolsten)
Betterine positions itself as the perfect solution for consumers who are looking for a non-dairy and all-natural butter substitute. It is made from coconut oil and is vegan, organic and GMO-free. Betterine sticks look similar to butter, have a neutral taste and can replace butter or margarine in recipes. The product will be available in two months in kosher stores across the country at a cost of about $5.80 for one pound.
“Most [butter substitutes] have chemical ingredients. The ones that don’t taste horrible,” said Akiva Stern, president of Amarlane Foods, which produces Betterine. “This doesn’t have chemical ingredients and it tastes great, so it’s the ultimate solution as far as we’re concerned.”
Gluten-free cheese sambusaks
Gluten-free sambusaks and spinach tarts are available with a cheese or meat filling. (Josefin Dolsten)
These sambusaks taste just like the traditional Syrian savory meat- or cheese-stuffed dumpling — except they are gluten free. The idea for the dish came to Esther Anzaroot when her son started dating his now-wife, who follows a gluten-free diet. Anzaroot wanted to share her family’s Syrian Jewish culture with her son’s significant other, but found that many dishes contain gluten.
“Syrian food is part of our culture, so I felt terrible that she couldn’t embark and taste and share,” Anzaroot said.
Her gluten-free sambusaks, which are sold under her brand GlutenFree.sy, beat out regular pastries to snag Kosherfest’s new product award in the breads and baked goods category. They retail for $13.50 per dozen at kosher markets in the New York-area and are available with a cheese or meat filling.
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