Day Late Guest Chick – Elle Cosimano preps us for Chanukkah

I’m guest-host pinch hitting for poor Mary, who was conscious only long enough to send me Elle’s post.  You can read about our guest in her own words, and stick around to learn the REAL way of making latkes.  I say real because my way consists of opening a box and pouring out a mix.  My Nana would NOT be proud.  Comment to win a dubious prize. 

If you ask most people, they may know Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration. Many may even recognize the menorah and the dreidel — two symbols associated with the Festival of Light. But most probably don’t know the connection these symbols have to each other, or why Jewish families eat foods fried in oil during this special time of year.

The sides of the spinning top, called a “dreidel”, contain four letters of the Hebrew alphabet: נ (Nun), ג (Gimel), ה (Hei), ש (Shin), which together form the acronym for “נס גדול היה שם” (Nes Gadol Hayah Sham – “a great miracle happened there”). The miracle dates back to 167 BCE, when Antiochus ordered an altar to Zeus be erected in the Jewish Temple of Jerusalem. Judah Maccabee and his brothers led a revolt against Antiochus, and after two years, were successful in liberating The Temple. After The Temple was cleansed and rededicated, olive oil was needed, as the candles of the menorah in The Temple were required to remain lit each night. There was only enough oil to last one night, but by a great miracle, the menorah remained lit for eight  – just enough time to produce the oil needed to keep the lights burning.

It is this miracle we celebrate on Hanukkah. This is the reason we light a special menorah, called a Hanukkiah. The Hanukkah menorah bears eight candles, one for each night the oil burned at The Temple.

And here is where oil becomes the key ingredient in all great Hanukkah celebrations! It is customary to eat foods fried in oil as a way of celebrating the miracle that happened in The Temple. Potato Latkes (potato pancakes fried in oil), are the most widely recognized Hanukkah treat. But you may not know that jelly donuts, or sufganiyot (which are pastries fried in oil), are also enjoyed in many Jewish homes during Hanukkah.

Personally, I indulge in both! As I share this story with you, and the customs from my own kitchen, I am reminded of a Jewish teaching: The reason for the Hanukkah lights is not for the “lighting of the house within”, but rather for the “illumination of the house without.”

And now that you have an understanding of the Hanukkah traditions, I will share with you my family’s favorite recipe for Potato Latkes.

Enjoy.

Serves 8-12

8 medium potatoes, peeled

1 medium onion

lemon juice

1 cup flour (or rice flour may be substituted)

1 cup milk

1 egg

1 Tbsp baking powder

1/8/ cup melted butter

fresh grated nutmeg

salt & pepper