In order to prepare for Passover (April 6 to 14), observers seek food products guaranteed not to contain the specific items restricted during the holidays, including items made with yeast and baking powder. But Passover dietary restrictions are far-reaching. Wheat, barley, oats, rice, dry peas and dry beans are also not permitted. For Ashkenazi Jews, this tradition extends to corn, too.
Since many processed foods contain wheat, rice, and/or corn — and that includes corn sweeteners and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) — food companies produce some of their items without them. Coca Cola and Pepsi, for example, produce sodas made with cane sugar, not HFCS, and have bottle caps marked Kosher for Passover.
According to Jeff Gleiberman, who co-owns Gleiberman’s Kosher Mart and Restaurant (5668 International Drive. 704-563-8288. www.gleibermans.com) with brother Robert, their deli is the only place between Atlanta and Washington, D.C., with an extensive variety of kosher foods. For Passover, they have added an additional 800 products.
These products include gluten-free honey cakes, Seven-Layer tortes, Black and White tortes, railroad cakes, jelly rolls, and rainbow cookies. They carry Coke, Pepsi and Dr. Brown products certified for Passover. Other items include breakfast cereals, mayonnaise, ketchup, duck sauce and chow mein noodles.
Also, specific items bought during the eight days of Passover are required to have the Kosher for Passover label. These include milk, butter, coffee, canned fruits and vegetables. The deli carries these items.
Gleiberman also notes that since Passover requires food products to be both gluten- and soy-free, people who have these allergies can stock up on products devoid of these ingredients now.
Looking for a food you can’t find? Or do you know of other food items unique to the Q.C.? Whether it’s regional foods or international, talk to me: tricia.childress@creativeloafing.com or 704-522-8334, extension 136.
This article appears in Mar 27 – Apr 2, 2012.
