Monday, December 3, 2007

Hanukkah: what's cooking?

Traditionally, fried food and dairy foods are eaten during Hanukkah.

Fried food signifies the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days when the Maccabees rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem.

Dairy is often eaten during Hanukkah to remind us of the story of the Jewish heroine, Yehudit (Judith) who saved her village when they were being persecuted by the Syrians who were trying to starve the Jews so they would surrender. She brought cheese and wine to the Syrian leader. After he was drunk, he passed out and she beheaded him. The next morning the Jews attacked the Syrians, who had no idea their leader was dead until they ran to find. Judith had saved her people.

Soofganiot (doughnuts) and latkes or livivot (potato pancakes) are popular Hanukkah treats. Below are links to recipes that celebrate Hanukkah. Challah is kind of like a Portuguese sweet bread, usually braided but can be found in different forms and with different ingredients. This bread is enjoyed on Sabbaths and holidays and is often used in the breaking of the bread that begins these traditional meals.

Food Network Hanukkah recipes

Allrecipes.com Hanukkah recipes

BusyCooks aboutus.com Hanukkah recipes

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