We’re on day 5 of the 8 days of Hanukkah, which means we’re right in the thick of gift giving and time with family. It also means that we’re smack dab in the middle of a week’s worth of delicious Hanukkah food. If you’re not celebrating Hanukkah this season, you should still be aware of some of the traditional Hanukkah food items that are served during this Jewish holiday.
Because Hanukkah celebrates the oil lasting for eight days, most foods eaten during Hanukkah are fried in oil. Here are four Hanukkah Foods that you should try this year.
1. Latkes with Applesauce
Possibly the most well-known Hanukkah food is the latke. Latkes are fried pancakes made of shredded potatoes, flour, egg, and onions. They’re very similar to hash browns and are eaten with applesauce (for dipping). They can also be eaten with sour cream or drizzled with honey, for both sweet and savory flavors. Find a simple latke recipe here. Or, try a fun twist on a traditional latke with cauliflower latkes – find our recipe here.
2. Sufganiyah
Forget the complicated sounding name, sufganiyot is just a simple jelly donut. They’re traditionally filled with jelly or custard and then deep fried until they’re delicious and sprinkled with powdered sugar on top. Try this classic sufganiyah recipe here on Epicurious.
3. Rugelach
Rugelach is a tasty Jewish pastry that looks a lot like a crescent roll and is filled with cinnamon and sugar. And while rugelach isn’t strictly for Hanukkah, it is a traditional pastry for Jewish holidays. Rugelach can also be modified to use other types of fillings. This chocolate rugelach recipe from Serious Eats is a great alternative to traditional cinnamon sugar versions.
4. Blini
Blini is just a fancy word for pancakes – actually, it’s more along the lines of a crepe. Blinis can be topped with fruit for a sweet dish. Or, for a savory option, top with a schmear of sour cream, lox, and a small sprig of dill. Ina Garten has a great take on a traditional blini appetizer here.
