Hanukkah Spins

Hanukkah starts tonight and with it eight days of feasting and enjoying time honored recipes. Some of the main ones , such as latkes and sufganiyot reflect the miracle of the oil in the temple. Other dishes celebrate the victory over the Maccabees and what the widow Judith served.Some are more modern, drawing on current American trends. All in all , it makes for holiday eating  with a story to tell.

One of the most well known is the potato pancake, or the latke. It's origins come from the victor , Judith who killed Holoferne,  served cheesecakes (Not the modern kind that's laden with all sorts of fruits and chocolate). They were replaced with potatoes, eaten mostly by Ashkenazi Jews from Eastern Europe. The patties are labor intensive but worth it. If you want a spin, then try Dr, Mayim Bialik's (The Big Bang' Theory's  . Amy Farrah Fowler) root vegetable one .These have shredded zucchini and sweet potatoes along with red onions for sharpness, crunch and flavor. Russet potatoes are used as a base.. These can still be served with sour cream for the entire holiday experience.Home chefs have added their spins. Some use shredded parsnips with the potatoes, while others swear by apple chunks - which is  a twist on serving them with applesauce. Also if you plan on making them more than once this Hanukah , then try variations such as sweet potato with cinnamon. If you still want tradition but something zingy then add some rosemary and sea salt to the batter. Also sprinkle fresh ground sea salt and pepper on the latkes as they're draining.

Jelly doughnuts are another Hanukah favorite. These are super popular in Israel where they're filled with the traditional raspberry jam along with vanilla, chocolate and cappuccino creams. Called sufganiyot; they are a yeast doughnut first "stuffed" with usually the raspberry but sometimes also with apricot jam. Confectioners sugar is then  liberally sprinkled on them as they 're draining and cooling. Fillings can be updated to suit a younger generation's taste. Some home bakers now  fill theirs with Nutella (which is Kosher) and even cranberry  stuffed in a pumpkin doughnut. You could also try it as a giant baked doughnut with filling too. Fried honey balls are also made,, popularly called loukomades to represent what the Greek born Maccabees ate. They're also called bimuelos and eaten more by the Sephardic Jews of Spain. Cinnamon is either added to the honey based syrup or the balls are rolled in them after frying.Some American Sephardim serve them with a side of pancake syrup as opposed to honey.

Hanukah is a time for remembering the victory over the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil. The dishes reflect both the rich Jewish heritage and changing tastes. These treats are both modern and traditional along with being tasty.