5 Amazing Trader Joe’s Products That Happen To Be Kosher
Image by Mike Mozart
With their ridiculously low prices, generous return policy and a stock of organic produce and cruelty-free eggs that puts Whole Foods to shame, Trader Joe’s is a foodie paradise. But it’s also a kosher foodie paradise — a place where many products, including the Trader Joe’s-branded products that make up most of the store, are, indeed, kosher (without having a special “kosher food” section made up of canned gefilte fish and boxed matzo). No wonder there’s even a Facebook group devoted to the store’s kosher product.
The following are just some of the unique (and kosher!) products on sale at Trader Joe’s.
1) Wild Rice and Mushroom Sausage-less Sausage
Image by Photo Courtesy Trader Joe's
Since meat is easily one of the hardest things to make kosher (what with that requirement that you need a super special, super sharp knife, a guy who knows the Jewish laws involved in killing the animal, and the arduous process of kashering the meat with salt), expecting a Trader Joe’s-branded kosher sausage would be wishful thinking (although, to their credit, they do stock Empire chickens at many locations). These “sausages,” made of textured soy protein, wild rice and mushrooms, not only look like real sausages, they also have the right taste and texture. And they’re pareve, so go ahead and sprinkle some kosher cheddar on top.
2) Milk Chocolate Covered Dry Roasted & Salted Virginia Peanuts
Image by Photo Courtesy Trader Joe's
You heard that right: Milk. Chocolate. Covered. Peanuts. It’s like the grown-up version of a Reese’s. Made of Virginia peanuts, also known as “ballpark peanuts” because they’re the ones stacked at your local baseball stadium, and dipped in premium milk chocolate, these little balls of goodness takes snacking to the next level.
3) Roasted Gorgonzola Oven Crisps
Image by Photo Courtesy Trader Joes
A crisp, light cracker with the perfect tang, these are incredibly addictive (and put pringles to shame). Gorgonzola is one of those cheeses that is incredibly difficult to make kosher (that pesky animal rennet!), but somehow Trader Joe’s managed to find some and stick it in a cracker.
4) Everything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning Blend
Image by Photo Courtesy Trader Joe's
Being that this is a seasoning blend meant for topping the most Jewish food that ever Jewed — bagels — it would be shocking if this wasn’t kosher. But this blend isn’t just for bagels. Add it to nearly anything — from salad dressings to a marinade for your favorite roast.
5) Vegan Spread & Dressing
Image by Photo Courtesy Trader Joe's
For many Americans, mayonnaise is basically a staple food item, put in everything from mashed potatoes to ranch dressing. For those who keep kosher, Hellmann’s is a pretty handy option. But imagine if you were not only kosher, but vegan. I mean, your salads would be sad and tasteless; your mashed potatoes would be crumbly and impossible to swallow. Luckily for you unicorns, Trader Joe’s has made the perfect replacement: an emulsion of canola and pea protein to mimic the creaminess of classic mayo.
Michelle Honig is the food intern at the Forward. Find her on Twitter and Instagram.
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