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What Is Hanukkah? These 5 Fried Dishes Are Prepared During Hanukkah, Don’t Miss Out

Ankita Mazumdar
Hanukkah

If you have missed out on watching the popular sitcom, Friends, then this one is for you. If you have watched it then the squealing voice of Ross comes directly ringing to your ears, “Happy Hanukkah!”. You will get to know more about this Jewish festival and the food prepared during it. For Jews, it’s the festival of lights, joy, miracles, and memories altogether. So, let’s dive into the festivities of Hanukkah.

What Is Hanukkah? 

Hanukkah is the celebration of a miracle, a joyous festival for Jews that lasts for about eight days. Just as Indians have festal lights as Diwali, Jews have the festival of lights as Hanukkah. Hanukkah commemorates on the 25th of Kislev which is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. So, usually it is celebrated from late November to mid-December. Maccabee bravely fought against the Greeks and Syrians to protect the Jews and take back the Jerusalem temple. 

It’s the celebration of miracle and victory. It instills belief and faith towards God and it is quite important to keep on traditions, so it is grandly celebrated to pass on to younger generations. Another miracle is also celebrated, an oil miraculously lasted for eight days instead of a single day. Therefore, Jews light candles on the menorah, a candleholder for eight nights. 

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Menorah can hold nine candles, one each for eight nights and one is called shamash. Shamash is used to light up the candles. You are not supposed to light all of them together. One by one, each candle is added for eight days to the menorah; during the lighting, Jews recite prayers.

Hanukkah Means You Get To Eat Lots Of Fried Food

The significance of fried dishes goes back to the same celebration of the miracle oil. It represents the long-lasting effect for eight days long. There is no particular rule or regulation for cooking, it just has to be fried. Here are 5 of the traditional Hanukkah foods that you shouldn’t miss out on.

1. Latkes

Latkes commonly known as potato pancakes are very similar to hash browns. They are super easy to make and easy to gobble down as well. The perfectly crispy edges are a delight to bite into!

2. Doughnuts Or Jalebis

This one takes the cake! Doughnuts filled with oozing jam and dusted with powdered sugar are a great dish and traditional one. They are called sufganiyot in Hebrew. In India, crispy and sweet jalebis are preferred. It is better if it is piping hot.

3. Kibbet Yatkeen

It is similar to latkes but instead of potatoes, this fried food item is made of pureed pumpkin! That is an interesting way to eat pumpkin and I am sure kids who don’t like pumpkin are fed this in a larger quantity.

4. Cassola

Many consider consuming cheesy food items on Hanukkah. Therefore, Italian Jewish households prepare a cheesy pancake. It is extremely lip-smacking and you grab for more every time. Like its pancake and easy combines, what’s not good?

5. Pollo Frito

It translates to fried chicken and is popular among the Italian Jews. they like to keep it on a sweeter note, so they use cinnamon. Another new twist, fried chicken spiced with cinnamon, sounds great! 

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Again in Ross’s squealing voice, “Happy Hanukkah”.

Cover Image Credits: Pexels

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