Last year was my first experience with celebrating Hanukkah and the partaking of potato latkes. What makes them traditional? They are made at the time of Hanukkah to celebrate the holiday festivities. My boyfriend’s mother makes them by the rack full. She just kept serving latkes for over an hour. Latkes can either be smeared with sour cream and a sprinkle of pepper, or dab on a little homemade applesauce and they are delicious! How are latkes made? First, peel and grate many, many potatoes, form the grated potato into a pancake and fry in oil (yum!). Fried foods in general are traditional during Hanukkah because of the food is cooked in oil, which is considered sacred in Judaism.
I found it interesting and educational to be accepted into another culture’s traditions and to perhaps even learn to make them traditions I continue with year after year. I don’t even think that me celebrating Hanukkah has anything to do with me taking on belief in Judaism, but merely showing my interest and respect for another culture’s religious traditions. Not only did I get to learn more about my boyfriend’s cultural heritage and his own family’s traditions, but I got to enjoy some great food too!
