Almost 17 million Americans will celebrate Hanukkah this year. For those who aren’t familiar, Hanukkah is the Jewish Festival of Lights and marks the victory of the Macabees over the Syrians around 165 BCE. When the Jews recaptured the Second Temple of Jerusalem, they lit the menorah – an eight-armed candelabra – but only had enough oil to last one night. However, the oil miraculously lasted for eight nights, and the holiday of Hanukkah was born to celebrate that miracle.
Hanukkah celebrations include lots of traditions, but the most delicious tradition is certainly the food! Fried foods are popular Hanukkah foods because of the holiday’s associations with oil. However, a table at Hanukkah will be jam-packed with a variety of delectable options and we’ve put together a list of affordable and tasty Hanukkah foods to ensure your holiday celebration doesn’t break the bank.
Brisket
Brisket is a food commonly served at Hanukkah. It’s an inexpensive cut of beef which means it can be tough, but when braised or roasted for a long time, it’s fall-apart tender. There’s a different recipe for brisket in every family but a classic Kosher go-to is a Coca-Cola and Chili Sauce braise.
If you want to try something different, ramp up the flavor with a BBQ rub! The Kitchn’s got a great recipe.
Roast chicken
Nothing is more ubiquitous for the family dinner than a good old-fashioned roast chicken. It’s simple, easy, and delicious. Also, a whole roasting chicken is inexpensive and easily feeds the crowd. Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa of Food Network fame, has a recipe called “Perfect Roast Chicken”, and it is aptly named.
Falafel
For the vegetarians in your life, adding some crisp-fried falafel to the Hanukkah table will be much appreciated. Falafel are small balls or patties of pureed chickpeas and herbs, and can be served with hummus, tabbouleh salad, pita, pickled vegetables, and/or labneh or tahini. With very few ingredients in falafel itself, it’s an inexpensive and tasty addition to your holiday table. My Jewish Cooking offers a recipe for this popular Israeli food.
Latkes
Latkes are potato pancakes and are a Hanukkah icon. Plus, potatoes are a super budget-friendly ingredient. Shredded potatoes are mixed with a light batter and fried until crisp. They’re then served with applesauce or sour cream for dipping. This recipe from Food & Wine magazine has a video tutorial so you can follow along easily.
Kugel
Kugel is a traditional casserole made with either egg noodles or potatoes and is a Jewish holiday staple. Every family has a different kugel recipe, and everyone thinks their family’s is the best! Most kugels are on the sweet side with ingredients like egg, sugar, raisins or other dried fruits, and nuts. Celebrity Chef Andrew Zimmern claims his family’s kugel recipe is the best – try it out for yourself!
Roasted Veggies
You’ve got to have some veggies on the menu, right? Roasted veggies are a no-recipe recipe. Pick your favorite fall/winter vegetables, toss them with some olive oil and roast them at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes. These round out the meal and provide another great option for your vegetarian family members!
Rugelach
Time for dessert! Rugelach are rolled cookies made with a cream-cheese based dough and filled with jams, nuts, or chocolate. Cut into bite-sized pieces, they’re hard to stop eating once you start! They can be painstaking to make, so Smitten Kitchen offers a recipe for “unfussy” rugelach sure to be a hit.
Sufganiyot
Rounding out the fried foods of Hanukkah are sufganiyot, which are small, jelly-filled fried donuts made with a yeasted dough. They are often served at synagogue or purchased from a bakery, but you can make them from home if you choose to! Once Upon a Chef tackles this delectable dessert and even offers alternative filling ideas like custard, Nutella, caramel, or more.
Hanukkah and Beyond
When you’re celebrating with the people you love, we want you to enjoy every minute, stress free. Our affordable menu ideas are one way we can ensure you’re focused on your family and not your wallet during the holidays. PSECU helps members achieve more and offers banking products and services to meet all your financial needs. Join today!
