Apple Chestnut Noodle Kugel

A delightful change from the typical sweet noodle kugel. Apples are synonymous with Rosh Hashanah, and the chestnuts add creaminess and awesome texture to the kugel and the topping. This got accolades from all ages. Freezes well too.

YIELDS 29-INCH (23-CM) ROUND PANS (APPROXIMATELY 18 SERVINGS) OR 18–20 MUFFINS

• 1 lb (450 g) medium noodles
• 6 eggs
• ¹⁄₃ cup coconut oil, melted (or oil of your choice)
• ³⁄₄ cup light brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp honey
• 2 pinches nutmeg
• 1 rounded tsp cinnamon
• 1 full tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp vanilla sugar
• 1 3¹⁄₂-oz (100-g) pkg roasted peeled chestnuts (see note)
• 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 2 Pink Lady apples, grated
• ¹⁄₃ cup dried cranberries

TOPPING

• ³⁄₄ cup tea biscuit or cookie crumbs
• 3 Tbsp coconut oil, room temperature
• ¹⁄₂ tsp cinnamon
• 1 3¹⁄₂-oz (100-g) pkg roasted peeled chestnuts, chopped
• 2 Tbsp light brown sugar

1. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water. Return to pot and cover until ready to use.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two 9-inch (23-cm) round pans with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray, or line a muffin tin with muffin papers and spray with cooking spray.
3. Add eggs, oil, sugar, honey, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla sugar to the noodles and mix well. Place chestnuts and applesauce in the food processor with blade attachment and process until smooth. Add to noodles and mix. Add the grated apples and dried cranberries and mix together well. Divide the mixture among the two prepared pans or the prepared muffin tin.
4. For the topping: Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl until well combined. Sprinkle evenly over kugels or muffins.
5. Bake covered for half an hour. Uncover and bake for another half an hour for kugels and 20 minutes for muffins. During the last 5 minutes of baking time, lower the oven heat to 325°F (160°C). Remove from oven.

Note: While there is a widespread minhag not to eat nuts on Rosh Hashanah, there are varying customs about which nuts are included. Follow your own custom. Tip My mother-in-law used to put raisins into half of her sweet noodle kugel, and those who didn’t like raisins got a slice from the other side. You can do the same if some of your family members don’t care for dried cranberries.

(Originally featured in Family Table, Issue 709)