Time for a history lesson:
Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabean Revolt, during which the Jewish people reclaimed and rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem after it had been desecrated by the Greek-Syrian Seleucid Empire. The central miracle of the story lies in a small supply of oil found in the Temple—only enough to keep the menorah lit for one day. Remarkably, the oil burned for eight days, inspiring the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah. Each night, candles on the menorah are lit to honor this extraordinary event and its enduring significance.
What does this have to do with food?
It’s all about the oil, and this miracle is why oil plays a starring role in Hanukkah cuisine, giving us the delicious, golden-fried treats we look forward to every year.
Latkes: A Crispy Celebration
Latkes—pronounced lat-kiss or lat-kees (this one’s cuter)—are one of the most iconic Hanukkah dishes.
These crispy potato pancakes are fried and symbolize the oil used in the temple’s menorah. The tradition of eating latkes dates back centuries, with roots in Eastern Europe. While the classic potato version reigns supreme, modern takes include sweet potato, zucchini, and even cheesy latkes.
Pair them with sour cream or applesauce, and you’ve got a Hanukkah staple that’s hard to resist.
Sufganiyot: The Sweet Side of Tradition
If latkes are the savory star, sufganiyot (Gesundheit!) are the sweet scene-stealers.
These fluffy, deep-fried donuts are a beloved treat in Jewish households worldwide. The filling varies—traditionalists stick with jelly, while others embrace custard, chocolate, or even trendy flavors like salted caramel. Like latkes, sufganiyot are fried in oil, keeping the miracle of Hanukkah alive with every bite, baby!
Brisket and Beyond
It’s not a Jewish holiday without brisket.
While fried foods take center stage, Hanukkah meals often feature hearty, slow-cooked dishes like brisket. This tender, flavorful cut of beef is a classic at Jewish holiday tables and reflects the communal aspect of Hanukkah. Brisket is the culinary equivalent of a slow burn—it takes hours to perfect, but the payoff is worth every minute.
If you do indeed burn it, then you’ve ruined Hanukkah.
Gelt and Dreidels
No Hanukkah meal is complete without chocolate gelt. These coin-shaped chocolates, often wrapped in shiny gold foil, represent the coins historically given to children as part of the holiday.
Paired with a game of dreidel, gelt adds a playful and sweet finish to the festivities…until your kids start fighting because big sister keeps spinning a gimel, the winning letter, and little brother insists the game is rigged.
🕎 SHAMELESS PLUG ALERT 🕎
We talked about everything but Hanukkah gifts, which are also sort of central to the holiday. Don’t fret, because we’ve got a good one: our Kosher Hanukkah Gift Basket, featuring Fatty Sunday chocolate dipped pretzels, Destrooper cookies, Peanut brittle, Tea Forte, Magnolia Bakery banana pudding cookies, Lindt balls, and Chocolate coins.
Happy Hanukkah!
About BasketWorks
BasketWorks is a woman-owned gift basket company located in the north suburbs of Chicago (specifically Northbrook, IL) since 1997. We are proud to offer a variety of gifts and gift baskets appropriate for all occasions. Each of our packages is built to order, allowing for customization at no additional cost to our clients. Contact us today!
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