Hanukkah, the joyous Festival of Lights, is a time for Jewish families worldwide to come together in celebration and remembrance. Beyond the lighting of the menorah and the spinning of the dreidel, food plays a central and delicious role in the eight-day holiday. Many traditional Hannukah Foods are fried in oil, a tasty reminder of the miracle that lies at the heart of the Hanukkah story. This tradition connects families to their history and provides a comforting and flavorful way to observe the holiday.
During Hanukkah, from the first night to the last, Jewish families indulge in symbolic dishes that commemorate the miraculous oil that burned for eight nights instead of just one. From crispy latkes to sweet sufganiyot, and beyond, let’s explore some of the most beloved and significant Hannukah foods that grace tables during this festive time of year.
The Story Behind the Flavors of Hanukkah
Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE. After the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire, the Jewish people reclaimed their temple. Legend has it that when they sought to relight the Temple’s menorah, they found only enough consecrated olive oil to burn for a single day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight nights, long enough to prepare new oil. This incredible event is known as the Miracle of Hanukkah.
Because of this central miracle involving oil, it’s customary to eat foods fried in oil during Hanukkah. This culinary tradition serves as a delicious and sensory reminder of the miracle and the enduring faith of the Jewish people. While Hanukkah often falls in December and shares some timing similarities with Christmas, it’s important to note that within Judaism, Hanukkah is considered a minor festival compared to High Holy Days like Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Nevertheless, its festive atmosphere and, of course, the wonderful Hannukah foods, make it a cherished winter celebration.
Must-Try Traditional Hanukkah Foods
The culinary landscape of Hanukkah is rich and varied, with countless recipes passed down through generations. While there’s a wide array of dishes to enjoy throughout the eight nights, some Hannukah foods stand out as particularly traditional and deeply loved. Let’s delve into some of the most iconic dishes you’ll find on a Hanukkah table.
Latkes: The Star of the Hanukkah Food Table
Latkes, or potato pancakes, are arguably the most famous of all Hannukah foods. These crispy, fried delights are made from grated potatoes, onions, eggs, and matzah meal or flour, then fried to golden perfection in oil. Their crispy texture and savory flavor make them irresistible. Latkes are a direct culinary link to the miracle of the oil, and no Hanukkah celebration feels complete without them. Variations abound, from finely shredded potatoes for a delicate latke to coarsely grated for a rustic texture. Beyond the classic potato latke, you can find sweet potato latkes, zucchini latkes, and even cheese and red pepper latkes, offering a delightful range of flavors and textures.
Expert Tip: Making latkes from scratch is a labor of love, but the reward is well worth it! Latkes freeze beautifully, making them ideal for preparing ahead of time. Fry them up fresh just before serving for optimal crispiness.
Applesauce and Sour Cream: Classic Latke Companiments
Applesauce and sour cream are the quintessential toppings for latkes. This pairing is a matter of personal preference, often sparking playful debates among families and friends. Some staunchly prefer the sweetness of applesauce, while others swear by the tangy coolness of sour cream. For a truly inclusive Hanukkah gathering, offering both is always the best approach! The cool, smooth textures of applesauce and sour cream provide a perfect counterpoint to the hot, crispy latkes, enhancing the overall eating experience.
Expert Tip: While store-bought applesauce and sour cream are perfectly acceptable, homemade applesauce elevates your latkes to gourmet status. The depth of flavor in homemade applesauce is unmatched.
Sufganiyot: Sweet, Jelly-Filled Hanukkah Treats
Sufganiyot, jelly-filled doughnuts, are another essential fried treat and a beloved part of Hannukah foods, especially in Israel and Jewish communities around the world. The Hebrew word “sufganiyot” simply means doughnuts. These fluffy doughnuts, deep-fried and filled with sweet jelly or jam, are dusted with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness. Sufganiyot are related to sfinge, Moroccan doughnuts also enjoyed during Hanukkah, highlighting the global reach of Hanukkah food traditions. Serve sufganiyot as a delightful dessert on their own or as part of a larger spread of Hanukkah sweets.
Gelt: Chocolate Coins and Dreidel Fun
No Hanukkah celebration is complete without gelt, chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil. Gelt plays a starring role in the traditional dreidel game. A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top, each side bearing a Hebrew letter representing part of the phrase “Nes Gadol Haya Sham,” meaning “A great miracle happened there” (referring to the miracle of the oil in Jerusalem).
To play dreidel, each player starts with a pile of gelt and takes turns spinning the dreidel. Depending on which letter the dreidel lands, players either add to or take from a central pot of gelt. The game continues until one player has won all the gelt. While most families use store-bought gelt for convenience, you can also use pennies, candies like M&M’s, or even make homemade gelt for a special touch.
Hanukkah Cookies: Festive Sweet Treats
While perhaps not as historically traditional as latkes or sufganiyot, Hanukkah cookies have become a popular and delightful way to celebrate the holiday. These festive cookies are often shaped like dreidels, menorahs (the nine-branched Hanukkah candelabrum), and Stars of David, adding a visual element of Hanukkah symbolism to the dessert table. To expand your Hanukkah sweets offerings, consider including other Jewish cookies and treats like chocolate-stuffed dreidel cookies, rugelach, mandelbrot, or slices of chocolate babka for a diverse and delicious dessert spread.
Brisket: A Hearty and Flavorful Main Course
Brisket, a flavorful and tender cut of beef, is a popular main course during Hanukkah and other Jewish holidays like Passover and Rosh Hashanah. Unlike barbecue brisket, Jewish brisket is typically braised in liquid, such as red wine or even Coca-Cola, along with vegetables like carrots, onions, and potatoes. This slow cooking method results in incredibly tender and flavorful meat that is perfect for a festive Hanukkah meal.
Expert Tip: When selecting brisket, look for a cut with good marbling. The intramuscular fat will render during cooking, resulting in a more moist and flavorful brisket.
Kugel: A Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing Casserole
Kugel is a versatile and easy-to-make casserole that can be served either sweet or savory, making it a flexible addition to your Hannukah foods. Sweet kugels typically feature an egg noodle base and include ingredients like cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, cinnamon, and raisins. Savory versions often use a potato base, making them suitable for Passover as well, and may include garlic, onions, and other vegetables. Kugel’s comforting and customizable nature makes it a crowd-pleasing dish for any Hanukkah gathering.
Rugelach: Delicate and Delicious Pastries
Rugelach are small, rolled pastries made with a cream cheese dough, resulting in a light and flaky texture. These delightful cookies are enjoyed during Hanukkah and other Jewish holidays and celebrations. Rugelach fillings are incredibly diverse, ranging from fruity options like raspberry and apricot jam to sweet chocolate and often include chopped nuts like walnuts for added texture and flavor.
Mandelbrot: Twice-Baked Almond Cookies
Mandelbrot, often called mandel bread, is a beloved Jewish cookie similar to Italian biscotti. The name “mandelbrot” translates to “almond bread,” reflecting its traditional almond flavor. These long, crispy cookies are twice-baked, giving them a satisfying crunch. Mandelbrot is perfect for dipping in coffee or tea, but they are equally enjoyable on their own. For Hanukkah, mandelbrot can be enhanced with chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit for added festive flair.
Challah: Braided Sabbath and Holiday Bread
Challah is a braided, egg-enriched bread that is a staple on Shabbat and nearly every Jewish holiday table, including Hanukkah. This beautiful bread is often topped with sesame seeds or poppy seeds, or simply an egg wash for a golden crust. For Rosh Hashanah, challah is often made round and studded with raisins, but for Hanukkah, the traditional braided loaf is common. Making challah is a wonderful family activity, especially involving children in rolling the dough strands and braiding the loaf.
Roasted Chicken: A Simple and Satisfying Main Dish
Roasted chicken is a classic and comforting dish that is welcome at any Jewish holiday meal, and Hanukkah is no exception. A flavorful roasted chicken provides a satisfying and less oil-intensive option amidst the fried Hannukah foods. Roasting a whole chicken is relatively simple and creates delicious leftovers for sandwiches or other meals throughout the holiday week. And don’t forget to save the bones to make homemade chicken stock!
Expert Tip: For extra crispy chicken skin, salt the chicken up to 24 hours in advance and let it air dry uncovered in the refrigerator. This draws out moisture and promotes crispier skin during roasting.
Matzo Ball Soup: Jewish Penicillin
Matzo ball soup, often affectionately nicknamed “Jewish penicillin,” is a comforting and restorative soup enjoyed on Jewish holidays and beyond. While matzo ball soup is especially associated with Passover, it’s also a welcome addition to a Hanukkah meal, particularly on a cold winter evening. You can make matzo balls from scratch for a truly homemade touch or use a boxed mix for convenience without sacrificing deliciousness. Adding fresh herbs like dill, parsley, and cilantro to the matzo balls enhances their flavor and freshness.
Expert Tip: For light and fluffy matzo balls, avoid overmixing the batter. This ensures they remain tender and float beautifully in the soup.
Roasted Carrots: A Sweet and Colorful Side
Roasted carrots are a simple yet elegant side dish that frequently appears on Jewish holiday tables. For Hanukkah, they offer a welcome balance to the richness of the fried foods. Roasted carrots are often drizzled with sweet glazes like pomegranate molasses, honey, or maple syrup, which caramelize during roasting, enhancing their natural sweetness and creating a beautiful glaze. Serve roasted carrots alongside brisket or roasted chicken for a colorful and nutritious side dish.
Olive Oil Cake: A Symbolic and Moist Dessert
Olive oil cake is a particularly symbolic dessert for Hanukkah because its key ingredient, olive oil, directly references the miracle of the oil. This moist and flavorful cake is a delicious and meaningful way to conclude a Hanukkah meal. Olive oil cake is incredibly versatile and can be customized with various flavors and glazes. Lemon olive oil cake and chocolate olive oil cake are just two popular variations, offering options for different palates.
Crispy Brussels Sprouts: A Modern and Healthy Addition
Even though they aren’t fried, pan-seared Brussels sprouts can achieve a delightful crispiness, making them a modern and healthier side dish option for Hanukkah. Brussels sprouts offer a welcome dose of greens amidst the richer Hannukah foods. Using fresh Brussels sprouts, rather than frozen, ensures the best flavor and texture when pan-searing or roasting them.
Celebrating with Hanukkah Foods
Hannukah foods are more than just delicious meals; they are a way to connect with history, tradition, and family. The act of preparing and sharing these special dishes enhances the joy and meaning of the Festival of Lights. From the symbolic fried foods commemorating the miracle of the oil to other traditional holiday dishes, Hanukkah cuisine offers a rich tapestry of flavors and traditions to savor during this special time of year.
