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of oil-fried food too with tempura-style vegetables and fruits in Rome to deep fried sweets in Greece or Iran.

It is possible that latkes developed from the custom of eating cheese pancakes when Eastern European Jews had to substitute what was most available to them, potatoes, for the unattainable cottage cheese and among some people cheese and dairy products are still a Hanukkah tradition.

The custom of eating cheese products come from what is perhaps a lesser known (although subject to much renowned artwork) Hanukkah story. It tells of the beautiful widow Judith who plied the enemy Assyrian General Holofernes with cheese and wine until he fell into a drunken stupor. Judith was able to behead the general in his sleep and the rest of the soldiers fled in fear of their own lives. The Jews were able to save their village from devastation and defeat the Syrian army.

Therefore, eating cheese dishes on Hanukkah is a reminder to us of how Judith saved the Jewish people and she is also considered to be the aunt of Judah the Maccabee (the leader of the Maccabee revolt). On top of this, it is said that Judith had taken dairy food with her to Holofernes' encampment so that she could continue to follow the Jewish dietary laws. Eating dairy dishes at Hanukkah also commemorates her commitment or dedication' to the religion.

There are a few other traditional foods eaten at Hanukkah. Recently, especially in the United States, pretzels in the shape of Hanukkah symbols have become something of a traditional and making them is also great entertainment for children. Loukoumades (deep-fried puffs dipped in honey or sugar) are also eaten as they are said to represent the cakes that the Maccabees ate.

Hanukkah is a festival of celebration and as well as being tasty, the foods eaten remind us what our ancestors did and how their dedication and faith brought the holiday to the fore.

Learn more about this author, Marc Steel.
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