3 Moms Hanukkah Correspondent-Jenni

We are so grateful to Jenni for taking time to help us out with this post.  All of the moms here at 3 Moms celebrate Christmas but we want to make sure all of the Holiday celebrations and traditions are represented.  If you celebrate a holiday other than Christmas in your home and would like to share your Holiday's traditions with us please contact us at cookinmamas@yahoo.com

Jenni is a long time friend of all of ours, we have all known each other since 2006 and met in the same Mommy Group.  Thank you again Jenni, I can't wait to try some traditional Latkes-MINUS the onions of course haha.

 Hanukkah! The Festival of Lights.     

The name "Hanukkah" is interpreted in many ways:

Some scholars say the word was derived from the Hebrew verb "

On Hanukkah, Jews mark the rededication of the House of the Lord. Others argue that the name can be

broken down into "

the 25th day of Kislev, the day on which the holiday begins. Hence, the Jews sat in their camp, that is,

they rested fighting, on the 25th day of Kislev. Hanukkah is also the Hebrew acronym for “

Halakha KeBeth Hillel”

disagreement between two rabbinical schools of thought - Hillel and the House of Shammai - on the proper

way to light Hanukkah candles. Shammai said that eight candles should be lit from the start, and reduced

by one candle every night, whereas Hillel argued in favor of starting with one candle and lighting an additional

one every night. Jewish law adopted the position of Hillel

Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the oil.  According to tradition recorded in the Talmud, when the temple was rededicated, there was very little oil. Oil was needed for the lighting of the menorah in the Temple, which was supposed to burn throughout the night, every night. There was only enough oil left to burn for one day. The miracle was that the oil burned for eight days, the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of oil for the menorah.

Latkes are a traditional food of Hanukkah.

Recipe for Latkes:
Makes approximately 12 palm- sized latkes

4 medium potatoes
1 medium onion
2 eggs
3/4 cup matzah meal (flour or bread crumbs can be substituted)
salt and black pepper to taste
vegetable oil


Shred the potatoes and onion into a large bowl.
Press out all excess liquid.
If using a food processor, use the chopping blade for 2 or 3 seconds after pressing out liquid to avoid stringy fly-aways.
Add eggs and mix well.
Add matzah meal gradually while mixing until the batter is doughy, not too dry. You may not need the whole amount (depending on how well you drained the veggies).
Add a few dashes of salt and black pepper. (Don't taste the batter, it's really gross!). Don't worry if the batter turns a little orange; that will go away when it fries.
Heat about 1/2 inch of oil to medium-high heat.
Form the batter into thin patties about the size of your palm.
Fry batter in oil. Be patient: this takes time, and too much flipping will burn the outside without
cooking the inside. Flip when the bottom is golden brown.

Latkes can be eaten as is or topped with a variety of toppings.

Love,
Jenni
ךנח " meaning "to dedicate" or to"educate."ונח ", from the Hebrew word encampment, and the Hebrew letters ה"כ , which stand forHeth Neroth We-meaning "eight candles as determined by House of Hillel" This is a reference to the.