Hanukkah is a wonderful time of year for many Jewish families. The holiday is celebrated over a period of eight days and is filled with rituals, customs, and special meals. A traditional Hanukkah dinner is a delightful way to come together with family and friends to celebrate the Festival of Lights.
A traditional Hanukkah dinner should reflect the joy and hope inherent in the holiday. Often, the meal begins with the lighting of special candles, differentiating this dinner from any other. Foods served at this gathering are usually traditional but sometimes include regional specialties, particularly those that can be fried in oil, a reference to the miracle of enough oil lasting for eight days.
Main Course
Common main dishes for a Hanukkah dinner can vary by region, but often feature the traditional holiday foods that can be fried in oil. A common entrée is fried fish or chicken. Latkes, or potato pancakes, are a traditional Hanukkah food, made from grated potatoes, eggs, onion, and matzo meal. Cheesecake, made with oats, also plays a role in traditional meals.
Kugels And Side Dishes
Classic festive side dishes include kugels — a variety of different savory and sweet casserole dishes made with matzo meal, noodles, or potatoes — and tzimmes, a type of sweet stew or casserole prepared with fruit, vegetables, and spices. Fresh vegetables and salads usually accompany the main course.
Desserts
Hanukkah desserts run the gamut of the sweetest pastries and cakes. The centerpiece of many Hanukkah desserts is the sufganiyah, a jelly-filled doughnut. Other traditional Hanukkah desserts include rugelach (rolled pastries filled with jam or nuts) and bimuelos, fried dough treats flavored with honey and cinnamon and sometimes filled with jam or chocolate.
The end of the meal does not have to be the end of the celebration. A traditional Hanukkah dinner can easily be transformed into an extended family affair with more singing, dancing, storytelling, and playing of Hanukkah-inspired games. Whatever the form, a traditional Hanukkah dinner is a wonderful way to come together and honor the holiday.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.