The Holiday Table: Hanukkah
By Kristen Hung, MPH, RDN
Around the dining table we eat, laugh, connect, and learn. Around the table our differences from those sitting with us are for a time equalized by the universal and shared human need for food. For many in the month of December, the table becomes a place of celebration. A place to gather with family and friends to enjoy special foods, to remember important events and beliefs, and to pass traditions on to the next generation. We invite you in the paragraphs below to a healthier holiday table. To not only partake of healthier versions of new or maybe old favorite holiday recipes, but also to get a taste of the traditions and beliefs that make this holiday season worth celebrating for many.
Hanukkah
Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jewish tradition, coming from the Hebrew word “Chanukah” which means “dedication.” A small group of Jewish rebels known as the Maccabees needed to light a menorah that would always burn within the temple, but only had enough pure olive oil for one day. Miraculously the oil burned for eight days which is now celebrated by the lighting of a menorah candle each night of Hanukkah. The miracle of the oil is also celebrated through the consumption of fried foods including latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts).
Upholding the theme of small amounts of oil, air frying has recently become a popular way to achieve a “fried food” effect with little to no oil. An air fryer uses a method of heat transfer called convection where a fan circulates hot air around the food. This allows for a browning and crisping effect without large amounts of oil. Air fried dishes can have fewer calories and grams of fat than traditionally fried foods. Try this air fryer latke recipe for a lighter take on this traditional Hanukkah staple.
Air Fryer Latkes
Ingredients:
-3-4 medium potatoes
-1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
-2 large eggs
-2 Tbsp plain breadcrumbs or matzo meal
-1 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
-2 Tbsp olive oil, divided for frying
-Plain Greek yogurt, unsweetened applesauce, chopped chives for serving (optional)
Directions:
- Scrub potatoes and grate
- Chop potato shreds into smaller pieces to help make latkes more compact
- Chop onions. Combine with potatoes in a colander and rinse with water.
- Please mixture onto a few layers of cheesecloth and squeeze liquid out over a bowl. Continue until almost all liquid has been removed. Return potato and onion to a bowl.
- Let liquid settle then pour off/discard most of the liquid leaving behind the thick starch at the bottom of the bowl.
- Whisk together eggs, breadcrumbs/matzo meal, salt, pepper, and reserved potato starch
- Preheat bottom of the air fryer with olive oil at 200 F. Set a cooling rack over a baking sheet.
- Scoop ¼ cup portions of mixture onto greased basket (thickness per preference). Sprinkle with salt and brush tops with olive oil.
- Air fry at 400 F for 8 minutes. Flip and cook 5 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- Transfer to cooling rack and keep warm in oven while making remaining batches. Cook in batches until batter is used.
Serve hot with applesauce, plain Greek yogurt, and chopped chives if desired.
If you have questions or are interested in learning more techniques to help build a healthy and nutritious lifestyle, contact one of our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists at the Outpatient Medical Nutrition Therapy Office or our Diabetes Self-Management Program located in the Torrance Memorial Specialty Center, 2841 Lomita Blvd., Suite 335, Torrance. Call 310-891-6707. Visit https://www.torrancememorial.org/Nutrition for upcoming classes and programs!
