Our Community
Home for the Holidays: Sharing Special Traditions
Amy Pasnak and her mom Suzy Furlong
by Sheila Turner-Hilliard Photos courtesy of Amy Pasnak From traditional family gatherings to surviving long shopping mall lines, this holiday season is shaping up to be one reminiscent of years gone by. Our hearts are filled with joy and good cheer, and the magic — or madness — of the season has returned! Many of us are looking forward to inviting family and friends back into our homes. And if this holiday season seems extra special to you, you’re not alone. Knowing how it felt to be separated from our loved ones last year makes this year’s gatherings even more memorable. It’s time to dust off those decorations, holiday traditions and family recipes. ’Tis the season to celebrate, and of course, indulge. Welcome to Amy’s kitchen! Amy Pasnak has lived in Newtown Square for the past 12 years with her husband Erik and their two daughters, Emma and Sophie. Amy says she loves this area because it’s not only family friendly and inclusive, it’s super convenient to Center City Philly where they enjoy seeing shows and going to dinner. Amy loves family traditions, especially during the holidays. Amy said that some of her fondest memories was the time she spent in the kitchen with her mom. “I was my mom’s “sous chef,” helping her cook for holidays,” she said. “We had so much fun laughing, singing and cooking, and I still make a lot of the same recipes from all those years ago.” Amy’s mom still loves to cook, and she spends a lot of time in the kitchen with her granddaughters Emma and Sophie. She even created an In the Kitchen with Mimi cookbook for them, complete with recipes and pictures of them cooking together.
Sufganiyot are a traditional sweet treat served during Hanukkah
Today, Amy shares a recipe that has become a tradition for her family for both Hanukkah and Christmas. “I am Jewish and Erik is Catholic,” she explained. “Our girls are being raised Jewish, but in our home, we are lucky to celebrate both holidays.” Sufganiyot is a fried, round jelly-filled doughnut, eaten in Israel and around the world during Hanukkah. Foods fried in oil hold special meaning because they symbolize the miracle of when oil enough to burn for only one night burned for eight nights in the ancient Holy Temple in Jerusalem. A cross between a beignet and a jelly doughnut, sufganiyot are traditionally filled with jelly or jam, but the filling options are limitless: custard, pudding, pumpkin butter, apple butter, or dulce de leche are all great options. Sufganiyot are also delicious plain. Amy said that on Christmas morning, her family enjoys sufganiyot filled with vanilla pudding and drizzled with chocolate.
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Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors
December 2021
