Roasted Meat on Seder Night

Question: This is the first time we are making seder. Both my mother and mother-in law have always fried schnitzel for seder night though I see that this is not common. Is this wrong?

Answer: The Gemara (Pesachim 53a) teaches that one may only eat roasted meat on seder night in places where it is customary to do so. Otherwise, it is forbidden to do so. Rashi explains that doing so gives the mistaken impression that one is partaking of the korban pesach outside the holy places. The Shulchan Aruch (OC 476:2) writes that this prohibition extends to roasted fowl, too. The Mishna Berura (476:9) writes that one may eat roasted fish and eggs, however, as we are not concerned that people will mistake those for roasted lamb.

The Gemara (Pesachim 41a) teaches that there is a machlokes as to whether the korban pesach can be roasted in a pot. Rambam (Korban Pesach 8:8) rules that one mustn’t cook the lamb, whether before or after roasting it. The Aruch Hashulchan (OC 476:2) writes that as doing so invalidates the korban pesach it should be permissible to eat any meat cooked in a pot, even if roasted without any liquid. The Mishna Berura (476:1) however disagrees, writing, that we do not eat such meat due to maris ayin. R’ Shmuel Wosner (Shevet HaLevi 9:120:1) suggests that one adds a little extra water so that the gravy is easy to see.

The Piskei Teshuvos (476:1) writes that there is a machlokes as to whether fried foods are considered to be cooked, and therefore, permissible, or one should avoid them because they are considered to be roasted.

In conclusion, while many avoid fried meat or chicken on seder night, one who has a custom to eat fried meat or chicken may continue doing so.