The Hanukkah Trail: Ashkenazi Potato Latkes

Known as the Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah (the Hebrew word for “dedication”) celebrates the rededication of the Temple in 165 BC after it was desecrated by the Greeks. In Israel, this was a time of darkness. Being strategically located between Syria and Egypt, Israel was the focus of the cruel, harsh leader of Syria, King Antiochus, who rampaged through Israel enforcing his Hellenistic language, ideas, and thoughts on the Jewish people.

He ordered a halt to the celebration of the Sabbath and the Jewish feasts; Torah (Gen.–Deut.) scrolls were burned, and the sanctuary was polluted with false idols. The resistance to this Hellenization by the Jews angered Antiochus, and he ordered the destruction of Jerusalem, including the Temple on Mount Zion. It was totally desecrated and defiled.

It was an aged priest, Mattathias, who together with his five sons, resisted the Syrian army. Known as the Maccabees, they courageously fought assimilation and liberated the Jews. Upon reaching Jerusalem, they set about restoring the Temple. According to tradition, in the debris, they found a small portion of unpolluted oil for the golden lampstand, sufficient only for one day. God intervened and the oil lasted for eight days. This is the miracle of Hanukkah! May we always remember the Lord’s deliverance through the faithful Maccabees and His faithfulness to His people.

www.israelimages.com While walking through the Old City on our Hanukkah trail, we rejoiced with the Jewish people. We watched as fathers would light one of the eight candles on the hanukkiah. Tradition requires that it is placed in the front window of the home, and one candle is lit for each of the days of this holiday. Those passing by like our group humbly observed yet another act of remembrance by this courageous nation of God’s love for His chosen people.

Not only is this festive period a time of remembrance and lighting candles, but it is also one of exchanging gifts, singing, games, and eating special foods fried in oil. Topping the list are latkes, favored by the Ashkenazi Jews, and sufganiyot (jelly/jam-filled doughnuts), favored by the Sephardic Jews. Both are delicious, but I have included a recipe for latkes, possibly the easier recipe of the two.

Ashkenazi Potato Latkes

5 potatoes, grated coarsely 2 onions, grated finely 1 carrot, grated coarsely (optional) 3 eggs 3 tbsp. breadcrumbs Salt and pepper Garlic (optional) Pinch of grated nutmeg

Thoroughly squeeze the grated potatoes, onions, and carrots to remove liquid and mix. Add the eggs, breadcrumbs, and spices and mix again. Heat oil in a frying pan. Heap spoonfuls of the mix into the pan and pat them down to form pancakes. Fry for two minutes, turn over, and fry for another minute until golden. Drain on paper towel and serve hot. Top with either savoury (sour cream or cheese) or sweet (apple sauce) garnish.

(Makes 25 pancakes)