Passover is one of the most food-centered holidays in the Jewish calendar, and the rules about what you can and cannot eat are among the most specific in Jewish law.
Chametz refers to leavened grain products, wheat, barley, oats, spelt, or rye that has been allowed to ferment or rise. Bread, pasta, beer, cake, crackers. All of it is forbidden during Passover. The prohibition comes from the Exodus story: the Israelites left Egypt so quickly their bread had no time to rise.
Matzah is the unleavened flatbread that replaces all grain products. There is a specific mitzvah to eat matzah at the seder. Beyond the religious obligation, matzah shows up everywhere: matzah brei, matzah ball soup, matzah pizza, matzah toffee.
The seder meal varies by family but certain dishes are standard.
The seder meal varies by family but certain dishes are standard. Matzah ball soup is the most universal, the debate over floaters versus sinkers is ongoing. Brisket slow-braised with onions is the other signature dish. Gefilte fish, tzimmes, and roasted vegetables round out most tables.
The kitniyot divide is significant: Ashkenazi tradition prohibits rice, corn, and beans during Passover in addition to chametz. Sephardic tradition never adopted this restriction. A Sephardic Passover table might have rice pilaf while an Ashkenazi table has potato kugel.
For dessert: flourless chocolate cake is the prestige option. Coconut macaroons are the other classic. The constraints produce creativity.