What is served at a Hanukkah party?

[MartiesMom2B]

I'm throwing a small casual get together to celebrate Hanukkah next week and I've come to realize that other than latkes, I have no idea what to serve. I've never been to a Hanukkah party, so I don't know what to set out. DH is no help either. So any suggestions are welcome.

TIA!
-Sonia

[sbjf]

Well we're not Jewish, but we are from NYC and my mom LOVES a Jewish candy called Halava. It's sold all over I think, but the best stuff is in NY, according to my mother. She brought it to a Hanukkah party last year here in Georgia (bought in NY) and it was a big hit.

[jk3]

Jelly donuts. You can buy some or make them using the Pillsbury biscuits in a deep fryer.

Jenn
DS 6/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

[rrosen]

We always have jelly donuts (Sufganiyot) they are traditional in Israel.
Here is a recipe. They are easier than you would think.
http://www.epicurious.com/cooking/holiday/hanukkah/doughnuts

And so yummy!

[cara1]

Don't forget the applesauce and sour cream with the latkes. Although personally, I like them with ketchup. Also chocolate Chanukah gelt.
Last year since it was lunch time, we also had bagels, cream cheese, lox, whitefish, etc., but there's nothing at all Chanukah-like about that.

[Twin Mom]

Definitely potato latkes and applesauce. My SIL has a family gathering every year and she always serves them. Unfortunately I don't get to go b/c I live in GA while my parents and brother live in NY.

[MamaKath]

Definitely Latkes (with home made applesauce, yummy!), jelly donuts and gelt. I stuck some links in with recipes, the meaning behind the Gelt, and also general info on the holiday for anyone reading the thread wondering what Hanukkah celebrates. Enjoy, sounds like fun!


More info on Latkes and other food recipes:
http://www1.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article.asp?AID=102819
http://www.joi.org/celebrate/hanuk/gelt.shtml

General Hanukkah info:
http://www1.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/default.asp
ETA: http://www.joi.org/celebrate/hanuk/index.shtml

More info on Gelt:
http://www.joi.org/celebrate/hanuk/gelt.shtml

[egoldber]

I think the only thing really traditional are fried foods, like latkes and jelly donuts. Foods cooked in oil are symbolic of the miracle of the oil lasting for 8 nights.

[rottiemom]

I was just over at epicurious to look up some recipes that involve chestnuts & their home page is featuring Hanukkah recipes, menus, etc. I thought you might like to check it out. Probably not traditional but definitely yummy & it may give you some ideas:

http://www.epicurious.com

Sorry I can't be of more help...but if anybody wants to know how to prepare bacala for a traditional Italian Christmas Eve I'm your gal ;-).

Nina

[sadie427]

I always just set out latkes w/ sour cream and applesauce, salad, fruit and cookies. Wine and juice to drink--sparkling wine is especially nice w/ the fried stuff and festive. Haven't done jelly donuts-too much work and kind of redundant w/ the latkes IMO. Generally I do the latkes myself and have other people bring the salad and cookies if they ask to bring anything.

While latkes are best fresh from the frying pan, the one time I cooked just before and during the party it was a nightmare--I was covered w/ oil and couldn't enjoy the party. You can do them ahead and freeze or refrigerate them, and then heat them up in a hot oven on cookie sheets, they come out fine and it's much easier.

For better or for worse, I've found people eat TONS of latkes, I almost always overestimate the amount of food I'll need at a party but I've never done that for latkes. So I try to make a lot.

[Tondi G]

Not necessarily traditional but you can serve the latkes, apple sauce (my MIl makes some from scratch for Hannukah! YUM) and sour cream. You can also have some typical party foods, cheese and crackers platter, vegi crudite platter, maybe a salad or two, cookie/danish assortment.

We have made dinner of it a few times and had chicken noodle soup with Matzo Balls followed by the latkes!!!! That has always been enough! People will eat tons of latkes so make A LOT!

Good luck and ENJOY!

~Tondi
Mommy to Mason 7/8/01
lil man #2 edd 5/5/05