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- The simple answer is that they're meant to remind Jews of the miracle of the oil associated with Hanukkah. But this story is anything but simple. In 164 BCE, a devout Jew who called himself Judah Maccabee and his followers overthrew the Syrian Greek king who was trying to impose Greek customs and religion on the people of Israel.
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Why do people eat potato latkes?
Why do we eat potato latkes on Hanukkah?
Are potato latkes a newfangled tradition?
What is a latke & why is it so popular?
Dec 8, 2022 · They became such a staple that they were cheaper than flour, and potato latkes became the default they are today. The word “latke” itself comes from the Slavic “oladka” for a small fried pancake, from the Greek “elaion” for olive oil, and came into use by the mid 15th century.
Although potatoes were introduced to Europe in the 16th century, it took close to 200 years before the edible tuber made its way from animal fodder to prison food, and then to sustenance for the masses, especially the poor. The real reason for latkes is explained by the traditional activity of slaughtering the geese in early December.
Dec 20, 2016 · One of the best parts about Hanukkah is arguably the fried food, especially the latkes! Emblematic of the olive oil that miraculously lasted eight days, latkes are a delicious way to tell the story of this eight-night holiday. But if you think about it, potato latkes are kind of a newfangled tradition!
Dec 15, 2022 · The latke, a fried potato pancake, is one of the most popular foods served during the Festival of Lights. Not only is it a satisfying winter treat, but history of the latke is actually kind of...
- Kiersten Hickman
- We Eat Them Because They’re Oily. Why do we eat latkes on Hanukkah? Oil played a vital role in the Hanukkah miracle, in which a single flask of pure oil, enough to burn for a single day, miraculously lasted for eight days.
- Latke is Yiddish for “Pancake” In Yiddish, latke means “pancake.” Some connect the etymology of latke to the Yiddish word latte, which means to “patch” or “mend.”
- In Hebrew They’re Called Levivot. In Modern Hebrew, latkes are known as levivot (sing. levivah), a term taken from the Book of Samuel where Tamar, the daughter of King David, prepared levivot for her brother Amnon.2.
- Maimonides’ Father Talks About Fried Hanukkah Foods. A manuscript fragment published in 1945 records a comment by Rabbi Maimon, father of Maimonides (the Rambam), on the significance of Jewish customs.
Dec 1, 2021 · The modern Ashkenazi tradition of potato latkes, perhaps topped with applesauce or sour cream, was not inevitable. There are many foremothers to thank for adopting new-to-them foods and adapting to new circumstances to allow us to bite into hot latkes on Hanukkah.
A latke (Yiddish: לאַטקע latke; sometimes romanized latka, lit. "pancake") is a type of potato pancake or fritter in Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine that is traditionally prepared to celebrate Hanukkah. Latkes can be made with ingredients other than potatoes such as cheese, onion, carrot, and zucchini.
