One of the vegetables Ashkenazi Jews particularly enjoy during the Days of Awe is sweet potatoes, as they represent a hope for a sweet year. This easy casserole can be assembled ahead of time, and baked just before serving.

About 5 medium sized sweet potatoes
1 8oz can of crushed pineapple, inc juice
3 to 4 tablespoons of parve margarine or butter
½ cup of dark or light raisins cut into small pieces
2 tablespoons of dark brown sugar
½ cup of orange juice
1 teaspoon of grated orange rind

Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into coarse chunks. Put them in a large saucepan with about 2 inches of cold water. Bring the water to the boil then cover the pan and lower heat to simmer for about 35 minutes until quite tender. Drain immediately.

Coarsely mash the sweet potatoes with a fork; stir in margarine/butter until melted. Add the orange juice, rind, pineapple and raisins and stir well. Turn the mixture into a greased oven proof dish and sprinkle the brown sugar on top.(The casserole may be prepared ahead to this point.) Bake the casserole in a preheated 350-degree oven for about 40 minutes or until hot throughout.

Makes 6 - 8 servings

This moist 'quick bread' contains both cornmeal and corn kernels, making it doubly corny and tasty. Also, unlike most corn breads, this one is parve and therefore suitable for meat meals.

1 ½ cups of yellow cornmeal, preferably stone ground
2 large eggs
¼ cup of all purpose white flour
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 17oz can cream-style corn, inc liquid
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 tablespoons water

Preheat the oven to 400-degrees. Mix the cornmeal, flour, sugar and baking powder. Make a well in the centre and add the eggs, oil, canned corn and water. Stir only until completely combined. Pour into a greased 9-inch square pan.

Bake for about 25 minutes or until firm and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool in the pan for at least 5 minutes before cutting into larger squares to serve. This bread tastes best when fresh but may be made ahead and reheated if desired.

Makes about 9 servings