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Hanukkah Delicacies: Food Traditions and Fun Facts Behind the Feast

  • Writer: Samantha Keogh
    Samantha Keogh
  • Dec 20, 2024
  • 5 min read


When you think of Hanukkah, one of the first images that come to mind is probably a beautifully lit menorah. But alongside the glowing candles, there's another beloved element that defines the "Festival of Lights": the food. Hanukkah meals are filled with symbolism, flavour, and history, often highlighting the miraculous oil central to the holiday's story. From crispy latkes to jelly-filled sufganiyot, Hanukkah foods are both a tribute to tradition and a delicious way to celebrate Jewish resilience.

 

This week, with Hanukkah starting next Wednesday, we'll explore the rich history, traditions, and fun facts behind the foods of Hanukkah.

 

The Symbolism of Oil in Hanukkah Cuisine

The connection between oil and Hanukkah stems from the miracle of the oil. After reclaiming the desecrated Second Temple in Jerusalem, the Maccabees found only enough consecrated oil to light the menorah for one day. However, the oil miraculously lasted eight days—long enough to prepare more (Neusner, 1995). This miracle is commemorated during Hanukkah by eating foods fried in oil, symbolizing the endurance and faith of the Jewish people (Chabad.org, n.d.).

 

Traditional Hanukkah Foods

Potato Latkes.
Potato Latkes.

Latkes (Potato Pancakes)

Latkes are one of the most iconic Hanukkah foods. These golden, crispy potato pancakes are fried in oil, symbolizing the miracle of the oil (Chabad.org, n.d.). While potatoes are the most common ingredient today, the earliest latkes were likely made from cheese, particularly by Italian Jews (My Jewish Learning, n.d.).

 

Fun Fact:

The potato latke became popular in the 19th century when potatoes were cheap and plentiful in Eastern Europe. Jewish communities in countries like Poland, Russia, and Ukraine adopted the potato-based recipe we know today (Waxman, 2016).

 

Latkes are typically served with applesauce or sour cream. The choice of topping often leads to playful debates over which is superior. Applesauce is popular because it provides a sweet contrast, while sour cream adds a tangy richness (My Jewish Learning, n.d.).

 

Sufganiyot: deep-fried doughnuts filled with jelly or custard.
Sufganiyot: deep-fried doughnuts filled with jelly or custard.

Sufganiyot (Jelly-Filled Doughnuts)

In addition to latkes, sufganiyot - deep-fried doughnuts filled with jelly or custard - are a Hanukkah favourite. These doughnuts are a staple in Israeli celebrations and are typically coated in powdered sugar (ReformJudaism.org, n.d.).


Fun Fact:

The tradition of eating sufganiyot traces back to medieval Europe. Over time, Sephardic Jews (descendants of the Jewish community who lived in the Iberian Peninsula, which is now Spain and Portugal, before 1492) introduced fried pastries, and by the 1920s, the Israeli Labor Federation popularized sufganiyot as a way to support local bakeries (Waxman, 2016).

 

In Israel, sufganiyot are big business during Hanukkah, with bakeries producing millions of these treats each year (Smithsonian Magazine, 2015).

 

Loukoumades (Honey-Drenched Doughnuts)

Another fried treat enjoyed during Hanukkah is loukoumades, small doughnuts soaked in honey or syrup. This dish, with roots in ancient Greece, is popular among Sephardic Jews (ReformJudaism.org, n.d.). Loukoumades connect modern Hanukkah celebrations with historical culinary practices, blending cultural influences across the Mediterranean.

 

Cheese-Based Foods

Before potatoes took centre stage, Hanukkah dishes often featured cheese. This tradition honours the story of Judith, a Jewish heroine who saved her people by defeating the enemy general Holofernes. According to legend, Judith fed him salty cheese to make him thirsty, followed by wine to make him drunk, ultimately allowing her to behead him and secure victory (Neusner, 1995).

 

Fun Fact:

In honour of Judith, dairy dishes like cheese pancakes and cheese-filled pastries were part of early Hanukkah celebrations, especially among Italian and Sephardic Jews (ReformJudaism.org, n.d.).

 

Lesser-Known Hanukkah Treats

Bimuelos

Bimuelos are fried dough fritters often eaten by Sephardic Jews during Hanukkah. They can be sprinkled with sugar, drizzled with honey, or soaked in syrup. Bimuelos share similarities with loukoumades and reflect the influence of Mediterranean culinary traditions (My Jewish Learning, n.d.).

 

Rugelach

Though not exclusive to Hanukkah, rugelach - flaky crescent-shaped pastries filled with ingredients like cinnamon, chocolate, or fruit preserves - are a popular addition to Hanukkah celebrations. They are made from dough that often includes cream cheese, tying back to the holiday’s dairy tradition (Smithsonian Magazine, 2015).

 

Fried Chicken

In some Jewish households, especially in the American South, fried chicken makes an appearance on the Hanukkah table. This reflects a fusion of regional cuisine with Hanukkah’s emphasis on fried foods (ReformJudaism.org, n.d.).

 

Hanukkah Gelt: Sweet and Symbolic

Hanukkah gelt (Yiddish for “money”) refers to the chocolate coins wrapped in gold or silver foil, given to children during the holiday. Gelt symbolizes the coins once given as rewards for Torah study (Waxman, 2016).

 

Fun Fact:

The tradition of giving gelt originates from 17th-century Eastern Europe, where children received real coins during Hanukkah (Jewish Virtual Library, n.d.). Today, chocolate gelt is often used in the dreidel game, where players bet their stash of chocolate coins (Smithsonian Magazine, 2015).

 

Food Traditions Around the World

Hanukkah food traditions vary across Jewish communities, reflecting local influences and histories.

  • India: Coconut Pancakes: In the Jewish community of Mumbai, coconut pancakes called "malpua" are a traditional Hanukkah treat. These pancakes are fried and often served with syrup (My Jewish Learning, n.d.).

  • Ethiopia: Fried Yucca: Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel) celebrate Hanukkah with dishes like fried yucca, a starchy root vegetable. The frying process honours the miracle of the oil (ReformJudaism.org, n.d.). 

  • Yemen: Zalabia: In Yemenite Jewish traditions, zalabia - deep-fried dough dipped in honey or syrup - is a favourite Hanukkah delicacy. Similar to bimuelos, these treats highlight the universality of fried desserts across Jewish communities (Chabad.org, n.d.).

 

Modern Twists on Hanukkah Foods

Hanukkah foods have evolved to incorporate modern flavours and trends.

  • Sweet Potato Latkes: Many cooks have put a modern spin on the classic latke by using sweet potatoes, which add a hint of sweetness and vibrant colour (Waxman, 2016).

  • Savoury Sufganiyot: While sufganiyot are traditionally sweet, some modern variations include savoury fillings like cheese or vegetables, offering a unique twist on the classic doughnut (Smithsonian Magazine, 2015).

  • Air-Fried Hanukkah Foods: Health-conscious celebrants are increasingly using air fryers to prepare Hanukkah treats. This method reduces the amount of oil while still honouring the tradition of frying (ReformJudaism.org, n.d.).

 

Conclusion


Hanukkah's rich culinary traditions offer a window into Jewish history, culture, and resilience. Whether you're savouring a crispy latke, biting into a jelly-filled sufganiyah, or spinning a dreidel for chocolate gelt, each bite connects celebrants to centuries of tradition and the enduring miracle of the oil.

 

This Hanukkah, as you gather with loved ones and enjoy these delicious dishes (or those your family loves most), remember that the holiday’s flavours are more than just food - they're symbols of light, survival, and joy.

 

Chag Sameach!

 

Please note: Since this is not my culture, I have done my best to research and write a blog that honours the Jewish cultures and traditions around this time. If I have made mistakes, these have been accidental, and no malice or harm is meant. Below is the list of sources used to compile these foodie facts.

  

References

 

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