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Hanukkah: Oil
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The books of the Maccabees tell the story of Hanukkah which occurred in 165 B.C. After three years of struggle, the Jews in Judea defeated the Syrian tyrant Antiochus. The Jewish people held festivities in the Temple of Jerusalem, and rededicated it to God. After removing all Syrian idols from the Temple, the Jews found only one small cruse of oil which to light their holy lamps. Miraculously, the cruse provided oil for eight days. Judas Maccabaeus, the Jewish leader, then proclaimed a festival to be observed by Jews.
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The traditional foods consumed during the Hanukkah holiday are symbolic of the events being celebrated. Most are fried in oil, symbolic of the oil that lasted eight days. Others contain cheese to celebrate Judith's victory. Loukoumades are deep-fried puffs dipped in honey or sugar to represent the cakes the Maccabees ate, along with Soofganiyot (... Sufganiyot) and zelebi. Pancakes are a traditional dish, serving as a reminder of the food hurriedly prepared for the Maccabees as they went into battle, along with the oil they are fried in as a reminder of the miraculous oil.
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Fried foods are traditionally eaten on Hanukkah to symbolize the sacred oil of the Maccabean temple. Though fried foods are not generally favored by the health-conscious, it's hard to imagine Hanukkah without them. To make them a healthier treat, fry them in a nonstick Silverstone skillet or griddle with a minimal amount of safflower oil, and drain them well on paper towels before serving.
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Latkes (pancakes) are the most traditional of all foods for Hanukkah. It is said that the oil to fry the latkes was a symbol to the Maccabees of the oil that burned for eight days and nights.
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