Even though Hanukkah just ended a few days ago, amny people are still left with the traditional food of the holiday. Thus, the present article shall perform a brief presentation of the food eaten throughout this holiday.

Apart from the lighting of the menorah, the spinning of the dreidel, reciting prayers and singing songs, and exchanging gelt, food is also an important element of Hanukkah. As Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the oil lasting in the Temple for eight days, it is common to eat fried, oily foods on this occasion. The most popular are “sufganiyot” which are jelly-filled doughnuts, and “latkes” – potato pancakes. In addition to this the Hanukkah meals also include dairy and meat foods. However, the first two are considered the traditional Hanukkah food as they are fried in oil, reminding one even more of the miraculously lasting oil. In some Ashkenazi communities, latkes are called “fasputshes” and “pont shkes”.

Pancakes are usually a traditional food, as it used to be the food cooked in a hurry and served to the Maccabees before they went to battle. The fact that pancakes are usually cooked in oil is yet another reminder of the oil lasting in the Temple in Jerusalem.

Latkes are a contemporary dish used to remember the cheesecake made by Judith. In more recent days, the cheesecakes served by Judith evolved into a potato or fried vegetable dish. Despite the contents, the memory usually associated with latkes is that of brave Judith.

However, as it is not kosher to combine dairy and meat, one has to choose between either dairy or meat.

The tradition of eating dairy food on Hanukkah dates back to the Middle Ages, when the story of Judith on the importance of eating cheese, cheesecakes and blintzes emerged from the darkness of the ages. The legend says that Judith was a great beauty who managed to use her charms in order to enter the enemy camp of the Babylonians who were taking her village by assault. She took with her a basket with cheese and wine and went straight to the tent of the Babylonian army leader – general Holofernes. She was very shrewd in her offering, as the cheese was very salty so the general had to keep drinking wine to quench his thirst. He eventually got drunk and passed out. Judith took advantage of the situation, beheaded him using his own sword, put the head in a basket and took it to her village. When the Babylonians saw that their leader was gone, they simply scattered into all directions. Judith is thus considered the savior of her village and cheese is usually eaten on this occasion in her honor.

As far as the dairy menu is concerned, one has many options to choose from, such as Spinach Tidbit Appetizers, Pepper, Cheese and Sugar Pecan Salad, Grilled Salmon, Potato Latkes, Hanukkah Shaped cookies, etc.

If a dairy menu is not to one’s taste, then it could be replaced with a meat menu.

A traditional Hanukkah meat menu comprises brisket, chicken, parve side dishes, and many other Hanukkah treats, such as Brisket in Wine Sauce, Oven-Roasted Chicken, Lettuce Salad to accompany them, Homemade Applesauce, along with cookies, latkes and sufganyot.

Another tradition, which is more recent and manifested in the American Jewish communities is that of baking cookies in the shape of Hanukkah symbols. Children love participating in the making of these cookies, which has them more engaged in the holiday spirit.