What foods are not allowed during Hanukkah?

"Among other rules, eating certain animals, primarily pigs and shellfish , is forbidden; meat must be ritually and humanely slaughtered; and dairy and meat aren't to be eaten at the same meal." Fish and plant foods are "neutral" (parve) and can be eaten with either meat or dairy.

What is eaten on the first night of Hanukkah?

A perfect Hanukkah meal might start with matzoh ball soup , have a traditional brisket at the center and a stack of potato latkes on the side. If brisket is not your thing, a simple roasted chicken would serve very nicely, too.

What is forbidden on Hanukkah?

These days are called Hanukkah, when it is forbidden to lament or to fast , just as it is on the days of Purim. Lighting the lamps during the eight days of Hanukkah is a religious duty imposed by the sages.

Can you eat cheese on Hanukkah?

One version of the story specifies that the cheese was cooked into a pancake. "By the 14th century, there's quite a strong tradition that people eat cheese on Hanukkah and it's associated with Judith giving cheese to the enemy to make him drunk," Weingarten says.

Can you eat dairy on Hanukkah?

A lesser-known Hanukkah custom is to eat dairy , to celebrate the heroism of Judith, slayer of the general Holofernes. Although Judith's defeat of Holofernes took place centuries before the Maccabees defeated the Romans, Jews in the medieval period began to associate Judith's bravery with the miracle of Hanukkah.

What are two fried treats served during Hanukkah?

In America, Hanukkah food typically refers to two things: latkes, Eastern European fried potato pancakes, and sufganiyot, jelly-filled doughnuts that are favored in Israel and increasingly popular here.

What do Sephardic people eat for Hanukkah?

Sephardic Hanukkah dishes include cassola (sweet cheese pancakes), bimuelos (puffed fritters with an orange glaze), keftes de espinaka (spinach patties), keftes de prasa (leek patties) and shamlias (fried pastry frills) .

What to bring to a Hanukkah dinner?

Traditional foods include potato latkes, applesauce and brisket . Spinning the dreidel (a four-sided top) for “Hanukkah gelt” (gold-wrapped chocolate coins) is another part of the celebration. Your host might appreciate gifts of chocolate, gourmet applesauce, candles, books or board games.

What not to bring to a Hanukkah party?

Hanukkah doesn't have any dietary restrictions, but make sure not to bring food items that aren't kosher . Even if your hosts aren't observant, it's best to stick with kosher items out of politeness. You never know if the host might have invited observant guests!

Can you eat chocolate during Hanukkah?

Whether scattered on kitchen and dining room tables during your Hanukkah celebration, reserved for prizes during games, or given as a token or gift, chocolate Hanukkah gelt is a part of many Hanukkah celebrations today . Change it up this year by making your own Hanukkah gelt made of dark chocolate or white chocolate.

Can you eat beef on Hanukkah?

Traditional Hanukkah foods: latkes, beef brisket , matzo ball soup.

What are the food restrictions for Jews?

Any animal who has cloven hooves and chews its cud may be eaten ; such animals as the camel, badger, hare and the pig then may not be eaten. Sheep, cattle, goats and deer are all kosher and may be eaten. From the water, anything that has fins and scales may be consumed; prohibiting all shellfish.

Over 50 Paleo Hanukkah Recipes (2024)

Dairy Free, Kid Friendly, Paleo, Refined Sugar Free | 24 |
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From breakfast to dessert, you’ll love spending 8 days celebrating with these delicious paleo Hanukkah recipes!

Hanukkah is almost here, friends! Eight nights of light, laughter, and love. While it’s not a festival mentioned in the feasts God told the Israelites to keep in the Torah, it is still a very special celebration for Jews. Don’t know why? Read on...

Contents hide

1 A little history.

2 Breakfast

3 Main Dishes

4 Side Dishes

5 Desserts

6 Drinks

A little history.

To fully understand the significance of Hanukkah, you need to get a little history lesson. (Yay!) Let’s go back to the year 167 BC. The Jewish people have been oppressed by the Greeks for years, and the new Seleucid leader, Antiochus IV, is trying to force them to submit to the “superior” Greek way of life and give up their own customs… or else.

The Maccabee.

Swing over to a small Jewish town called Modi-in. Antiochus’ soldiers march in and try to force the people living there to participate in their pig-eating ceremonies. Residing in Modi-in is a priest, Mattathias, and his five sons. They’ve had enough and start a revolt by killing the soldiers. One of the priest’s sons, Judah (nicknamed the Maccabee or hammer) becomes the leader of the revolt.

Employing guerrilla warfare and relying on their knowledge of the hill country and their conviction, Judah and his group of rebels prove that the impossible can happen (anything can happen with God!). In the month of Kislev (around December) the Jewish rebels drive out Antiochus’ soldiers and reclaim the Temple in Jerusalem.

The Feast of Dedication.

Upon their reclaiming of the Temple, the rebels immediately set about restoring the holy things. One of these being a broken menorah (lamp stand), which symbolized the light of God. After fixing the menorah, they ran into a problem when they tried to light it. Their search for oil came up almost dry! There was only enough oil for the menorah to burn for one day.

The priests knew it would take at least 8 days for new oil to be produced, but they lit the menorah anyway. To their amazement, the oil burned for not only one day, but for eight! Long enough for more oil to be made. So the Temple was restored and rededicated and the Jews celebrated it by establishing the 8-day festival of Hanukkah (Hebrew for dedication).

Now every year, starting on the 25th of Kislev, Jewish people all over the world celebrate the two-fold miracle of Hanukkah: an unlikely military victory, and 8 days of oil in one!

Eight days of deliciousness.

There are a few ways to celebrate the Feast of Dedication. One is by lighting a new candle on the hanukkiyah (usually just called a menorah) after dark every night for 8 days, another being the game of dreydels (tops), and lastly what you’re really here for… food!

Fried food is traditional during Hanukkah to remember the miracle of the oil. Namely latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (Israeli donuts). Most paleo peeps don’t eat potatoes, so the latkes here are made from other firm veggies, for all you no-tater eaters. And I was able to find ONE paleosufganiot recipe. I haven’t personally tried it yet though, just FYI.

Now that you know all about Hanukkah, I’m sure you’re ready to spend eight days devouring these delicious paleo Hanukkah recipes!

Hanukkah sameach! (Happy Hanukkah!)