Spring

Old-Fashioned Hanukkah Latkes

The Jewish festival of lights begins at sundown on December 18 this year, and families everywhere will begin peeling potatoes and heating up frying pans. Potato pancakes, or latkes, pay tribute to the miracle of the holiday, when a small jug of oil kept the menorah in the Jewish temple lit for eight days (instead of just one). Now, people around the world celebrate Hanukkah by eating oily, fried foods, and luscious latkes are at the top of the “let’s eat” list.

Ingredients:

• 2 large Russet potatoes (about 1 lb.), scrubbed and cut lengthwise into quarters • 1 large onion, peeled and quartered • 2 eggs • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 2 teaspoons kosher salt • 1 teaspoon baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • Safflower or other oil for frying • Applesauce • Sour cream (optional)

1. Using a food processor with a coarse grating disk, grate potatoes and onion. Pour into a clean dish towel and squeeze to remove as much liquid as possible. 2. In a large bowl, add potatoes, eggs, flour, salt, baking powder and pepper and mix until flour is absorbed.

3. Heat about ¼” of oil in a heavy bottomed skillet over medium high heat. Once the oil is hot (a drop of water placed in the pan should sizzle), drop batter by heaping tablespoons into the pan, cooking in batches. Use a spatula to flatten and shape disks. When the edges are brown and crispy (about 5 minutes), flip and cook the second side about another 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towel and drain. Sprinkle with salt and serve warm with applesauce and/or sour cream. Makes about 2-3 dozen latkes.

BOOK REVIEW

The usual Christmas books are pulled from shelves to re-read, give as gifts, or just decorate the mantle, and this gem is no exception. It contains a multitude of little-known facts about the holidays to share with guests following your holiday feast. “The Little Book of Christmas: Ho Ho Ho” is by Joanna Gray (2019). Enjoy! • The all-time favorite Christmas film is Frank Capra’s “It’s a Wonderful

Life” (1946) starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. • Elves were first mentioned in “Christmas Elves” by Louisa M. Alcott in 1856. • Since the 1970’s – thanks to an advertising campaign – it’s become a

Christmas tradition in Japan to enjoy a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. • Around AD 350, Pope Julius I proclaimed that Jesus was born on Dec. 25, so that’s the date we still observe. • Christmas trees need to grow for 15 years before they can be sold. • In 1843, Sir Henry Cole, a Victorian businessman, commissioned John

Callcott Horsley to design a card showing a happy family enjoying

Christmas; 1,000 cards were printed and sold. (In 2020, more than 2 billion were sent in America alone.) • President Grover Cleveland decorated the White House tree with electric lights in 1895. • In 1968, Apollo 8 broadcast live from its journey around the moon, the most watched program up to that time. • Santa’s sleigh would have to travel at 2,340,000 mph to reach every home on Christmas Eve. • In 1931, illustrator Haddon

Sundblom designed a Coca-Cola drinking Santa, which cemented

Santa’s image globally. • The first artificial Christmas tree was created in Germany out of goose feathers dyed green. • About 25-30 million real Christmas trees are sold annually in America. • The all-time best-selling Christmas single is Bing Crosby’s “White

Christmas,” with over 50 million copies since 1942. • North American Aerospace Defense Command’s (NORAD) Santa Tracker has 1.8 million Facebook followers and follows Santa’s progress around the globe from the North Pole. • In 1839, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer got his start as an advertising gimmick for Montgomery Ward.

Christmas Facts You’ll Treasure: A Review of “The Little Book of Christmas: Ho Ho Ho” by Kathy A. Megyeri