customary Hanukkah Foods (How to Feel Good About Eating Fried Foods)

Modern nutritional advice recommends avoiding fried food. Although I am a proponent of Jewish salutary eating, for one week a year I make an exception. Yes, I am referring to Hanukkah (aka Hanukah, Hannuka or Chanuka) or the fried food festival. Hannukah is separate to many of the other Jewish festivals in that there are no restrictions on food establishment or cooking while the holiday. It is a holiday when family can get together without the pressure of establishment food in advance; which is a good thing because fried food tastes bests when it is served fresh!

Hannukah is the Jewish festival of lights and celebrates the rededication of the second temple, and the miracle of a small estimate of olive oil persisting for 8 days. To commemorate the miracle, candles or oil lamps are lit for 8 days. Every home has a Hannukia and candles are lit each day starting with one on the first night and finishing with 8 candles on the eighth day. Due to the proximity of Hannukah to Christmas, some traditions have been adopted such as decorating the house, and giving large gifts. The main Hanukkah traditions are eating foods that are fried in oil, and playing with a dreidle (4 sided spinning top).

Traditional Food

Traditional Hannukah foods consist of potato latkes and donuts. Latkes, which are not separate to potato rosti, are enjoyed with a variety of condiments fluctuating from apple sauce and sour cream to cinnamon and sugar. In up-to-date years separate latke versions have become popular; sweet potato latkes, zucchini fritters, kohlorabi and carrot rosti, you are only little by the vegetables you have on hand. Latkes are yummy served fresh - every year after lighting the Hanukkah candles I put in order separate latkes, which we enjoy whilst spinning the dreidle. Latkes can also be prepared in advance and reheated, and can be baked for a healthier treat.

The other original Hanukkah food is donuts. These are commercially available with an extraordinary array of extraordinary fillings and toppings. If you are lucky you will be able to find small donuts, as a large donut contains at least 300calories and ~16g of fat, which is equivalent to a small salutary meal. Even home made donuts are calorific, but they have the advantage of having been prepared at home with you knowing exactly what ingredients went into them, and they can be made as small (or large) as you like. In addition, you can fill them with anyone you like, and can enjoy them fresh. I usually make donuts with a combination of whole wheat and white flour, use very little sugar in the dough, low fat milk and fry in canola oil. If I fill them with jam I use no-added sugar 100% fruit jam. Whilst these are not low-fat or healthy, they are best than anyone you can find commercially. If you want something even healthier, try baking your donuts instead of frying them, but remember Hannukah is all about the miracle of oil!

To find more recipes for latkes and separate donuts along with baked donuts, check out the Hannukah section at http://www.jewishholidayrecipe.com/Hanukkahrecipes.html

Wishing you a happy and not-too calorific Hanukkah!

customary Hanukkah Foods (How to Feel Good About Eating Fried Foods)

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