The Moroccans  know how to celebrate, and the Mimuna is a wonderful tradition, that although I’m not Moroccan, I decided to adopt 3 years ago.

The Mimuna is a traditional North African Jewish celebration  to mark the end of Passover and the return to eating leavened bread and flour products. Well, the return to eating it all. But it also celebrates Spring and coming together.

Mimuna comes from the Arabic word Luck, and it is believed it is a day to celebrate your wishes and make them come true. That is why the table is full of sweets and food that symbolizes luck and good fortune, such as honey, wheat, dates, nuts, and many sweets.

The celebration is Open-Door– the host open their house for all to come in and eat and relax together. The door of the house is literally open for all and everyone is greeted with “TIRVAHU VE TISADO”. The original translation means “May you succeed and help others to success”, but today it is translated to “success and eat together” and therefor the event has become a mini-feast… The celebration starts on the evening of the last day of Passover and continues the next day throughout the whole day.

Nona’s Beigalach (click for recipe in this Blog)

Savta Esther’s Maamulim (click here for recipe in this Blog)

In Israel, the Mimuna is a big deal. People are invited to the houses of Moroccan families and it is always a delicious event. I decided to adopt the Mimuna, living far from Israel, because of the wonderful idea of the Open-Door – inviting people to come in and enjoy in an informal, relaxed way. Besides, for me it is a great opportunity to have lots of fun in the kitchen during the days leading up to the Mimuna….

The highlight of the event are the MUFLETA– a kind of pancake that is made as soon as Passover is out and served in a pile, warm and fresh-

These are what the Mimuna is most known for, and they are prepared on a pan where each time you turn the Mufleta, you add another one on top so you literally have a high stack of Mufleta on the pan. It is a lot of fun to make and the challenge is making them paper thin without tearing the dough.

So Monday is Mimuna, and in Ithaca we will celebrate it a bit later, because of School Break, but the idea will be the same; open door, friendly afternoon with friends who stop by and wish all luck and fortune.

In my Mimuna post, I will add recipes as well….. some can be found here by clicking on the links…..