Culinary Traditions of Hanukkah
by Susan on 11/30/09 at 2:46 pm
What's your favorite Hanukkah treat
Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, starts at sundown on December 11, celebrating the 2,000-year old miracle that turned one day’s worth of purified olive oil for the Temple’s menorah into eight days of fuel to keep the lights burning. To commemorate this phenomenon, the learned elders instituted the festival of Hanukkah. A single flame is lit on the first night of the festival, two on the second night, and so on until the eighth night of Hanukkah when all eight candles are brightly glowing.
Hanukkah is a joyous festival with rich traditions that center on food, games and gift giving. It is to commemorate the miracle of the oil’s longevity, that Jews all over the world customarily eat fried foods on Hanukkah. Foods that have a high fat or oil content, such as smoked salmon, roast goose and duck are also on the list of culinary delicacies, as are cheese-based dishes, such as blintzes and cheesecake. Although definitely delicious, Hanukkah foods are not very nutritious and are high in fat and calories. However, the celebration comes around once a year (although it does go on for eight days), and indulging in traditional food on one or two evenings is probably an acceptable and forgivable offense!
Latkes are the Universal Hanukkah Food
Potato latkes (pancakes) are perhaps the most well known of all Hanukkah foods. This simple pancake, in its purest form, consists of grated potatoes, onions, egg, and a little bit of flour or matzo meal, but latkes can be made from almost any mix of ingredients. According to a folk legend, Hanukkah’s potato latkes teach us that we cannot live by miracles alone. Despite the popularity of the potato latke, this traditional Hanukkah dish has nothing to do with the potato but everything to do with the oil in which it is fried. It is to honor and commemorate the miracle that sustained one day’s worth of oil to provide light for eight days. Potato latkes are traditionally served with a large dollop of sour cream or a side of applesauce. Latkes can also be made from cauliflower, zucchini or any other food product that can be made into a patty and fried.
Celebrate with Scrumptious Sufganiyot
Doughnuts are another one of the traditional deep-fried foods that make their way to the Hanukkah table. Called sufganiot, these bloated, jelly-filled doughnuts are even more popular than latkes in some countries, probably because of their sweet and gooey interior and crispy coating. Apple fritters are sometimes prepared instead of doughnuts, which can be a respectable and delicious substitute.
Different Strokes for Different Folks
In Rome, deep fried tempura-style vegetables and fruit are the preferred Hanukkah foods. In the Middle East, deep-fried fruit dipped in honey and sugar is a favorite.  Different cultures have some of their own traditions, but what ties them all together is how they are prepared – in oil.
Goose is a typical Hanukkah main course in European countries, but not in the United States, however many families in America will roast a chicken, duck or beef brisket.  A noodle kugel (pudding) is often prepared for the holiday, although observant Jews who adhere to the Kosher dietary laws will not serve meat and dairy dishes at the same meal.
And now, without further ado … let’s eat!
Happy Hanukkah!
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